Hong Kong Accident: Cargo Plane Skids Off Runway, Killing Two Airport Employees
Two security employees at Hong Kong International Airport lost their lives in the early hours of Monday following an accident involving a cargo flight from Dubai. The aircraft, operated by ACT Airlines on behalf of Emirates, skidded off the runway during landing, collided with a patrol vehicle, and pushed it into the sea, according to a report from the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK).
The incident, which occurred around 3:50 a.m. local time, is considered the most serious at the airport in over 25 years.
Accident Details and Initial Statements
According to Steven Yiu, AAHK’s Executive Director of Airport Operations, the two workers were rescued from the water. One was declared dead at the scene, and the other passed away later in the hospital.
The aircraft, which also ended up partially submerged, was carrying four crew members, all of whom managed to escape unharmed.
The affected flight was EK9788, operated by a Boeing 747 freighter with over 32 years of service, originally designed for passengers before being converted into a cargo aircraft.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue to investigate the exact causes of the accident. According to Yiu, weather conditions, runway status, the aircraft, and the crew are all part of the lines of inquiry.
An air traffic control recording available on LiveATC.net shows that the pilot confirmed landing on runway 07L, where the accident occurred, without reporting any technical faults beforehand.
Minutes later, an air traffic controller reported: “An incident has occurred on the airfield.”
For his part, Man Ka-chai, head of Hong Kong’s Air Accident Investigation Authority, indicated that the control tower had directed the flight to the north runway and that no request for assistance was received from the pilot.
Yiu clarified that the security vehicle was patrolling its usual route outside the runway perimeter fence and did not improperly enter the landing area. He explained that the aircraft “suddenly veered to the left after touchdown before impacting the vehicle, a maneuver that does not correspond to a normal trajectory.”
Airport Operations
The Airport Authority assured that flight operations were not affected. The south and center runways continue to operate normally, while the north runway will remain closed until safety inspections are completed.
Response from Involved Airlines
Emirates reported that the flight sustained damage during landing, specifying that it was not carrying any cargo and reiterating that the crew members were safe.
ACT Airlines, meanwhile, deeply regretted the loss of life and stated that it is cooperating closely with authorities to determine the reason for the aircraft’s deviation. In its statement, the Turkish company explained:
“All crew members are in good health. Unfortunately, we have been informed that the aircraft collided with a ground service vehicle, resulting in the loss of two human lives.”
Background
This accident is the deadliest at Hong Kong’s airport since 1999, when a China Airlines aircraft crashed during landing, causing the deaths of three people out of the 315 on board.
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Plataforma Informativa de Aviación Comercial con 13 años de trayectoria.