HONG KONG– Two airport ground workers were killed early Monday morning when a cargo aircraft operated by ACT Airlines (9T) skidded off the north runway at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and plunged into the sea.
The Boeing 747 freighter, leased to Emirates (EK) and arriving from Dubai World Central (DWC), collided with a security patrol vehicle before breaking apart near the shoreline. All four crew members aboard the aircraft survived without serious injuries.
Emirates 747 Cargo Jet Skids Off Runway
Officials confirmed that the ACT Airlines Boeing 747 freighter was conducting a landing on Runway 07R when it veered left and breached the perimeter fence before entering the adjacent waters.
The aircraft, operating under a wet lease for Emirates Cargo, was not carrying freight at the time. Initial assessments suggest that weather conditions were favorable, and air traffic control had cleared the flight for a standard landing sequence.
Emergency teams from the Hong Kong Fire Services Department (FSD) and Airport Authority (AAHK) launched a full-scale rescue operation shortly after the 3:50 a.m. incident.
Rescue divers located the submerged patrol car approximately 40 minutes later, recovering the two victims trapped inside. The aircraft’s cockpit section remained partially above water, while its rear fuselage detached and sank near the sea wall.
Rescue and Recovery Efforts
According to FSD official Yiu Men-yeung, emergency teams reached the site within minutes. Firefighters deployed marine rescue vessels and divers to access the submerged wreckage. “Our crews located the car approximately 50 meters offshore.
Both occupants were found inside after an intensive underwater search,” Yiu stated. The four crew members were rescued from the aircraft’s upper deck door by lifeboats and were later evaluated by paramedics, showing no apparent injuries.
Images broadcast by local television showed the front fuselage of the 747 floating near the airport’s sea wall, with its tail section broken off and partially submerged. Two rescue vessels were positioned nearby as recovery operations continued through the morning.
Investigation Underway
Hong Kong’s Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) has classified the event as an accident and initiated a detailed probe into the causes. Investigators are focusing on flight operations, maintenance history, and possible technical anomalies.
The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder have been recovered and will be examined for clues.
Airport authorities temporarily closed the north runway following the crash but confirmed that the airport’s two other runways remained operational, minimizing disruption to air traffic. AAHK stated that flight schedules at HKG would largely remain unaffected.
Emirates confirmed in a statement that the Boeing 747-400F involved in the incident was operating as flight EK9788 and was provided under a wet lease by ACT Airlines.
The Dubai-based carrier extended condolences to the victims’ families and said it was cooperating fully with Hong Kong authorities in the ongoing investigation.
The freighter, built 32 years ago, was part of Emirates’ cargo expansion program designed to meet rising global freight demand. ACT Airlines, a Turkish cargo operator, has maintained a long-term leasing partnership with Emirates for specialized cargo operations.
Bottom Line
The tragic incident at Hong Kong International Airport underscores the risks inherent in complex airside operations, even under routine conditions.
While investigators continue to determine the precise cause of the runway excursion, the swift response from emergency crews helped prevent further loss of life.
Both ACT Airlines and Emirates have pledged full cooperation with local authorities as recovery and analysis efforts continue at one of Asia’s busiest aviation hubs.
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