CHINA – Cargo Plane Crashes Off Hong Kong Runway, Leaving Two Airport Staff Dead

Fatalities and Immediate Impact

Two airport security staff members were killed when their patrol vehicle was struck by a cargo plane that skidded off the runway at Hong Kong International Airport. The vehicle was pushed into the sea, and both occupants—aged 30 and 41—were later found by divers. One was confirmed dead at the scene and the other at the hospital. Officials expressed condolences to their families.

What Happened During the Landing

Emirates flight EK9788, a Boeing 747 arriving from Dubai at about 03:50 local time (19:50 GMT), veered off the north runway shortly after touchdown. The aircraft broke through perimeter fencing, hit the patrol car travelling outside the runway boundary, and came to rest partially submerged in the water. The four crew members on board survived and were rescued shortly after opening emergency exits.

Aircraft, Operator and Crew Details

The plane was a Boeing 747-481 operating on a wet lease from Turkish carrier ACT Airlines, meaning the aircraft, crew and insurance were supplied by them to Emirates. There was no cargo onboard at the time, and the airline confirmed the crew were safe. Emergency slides deployed correctly in at least one exit.

Condition of the Wreckage

Images from the site show the fuselage split into two sections with clear structural fractures. Part of the aircraft remains underwater.

Airport’s Response and Operations

The affected runway will remain closed for the rest of the day, but the airport’s two other runways are still functional. At least 11 incoming cargo flights scheduled for Monday were cancelled.

This is only the second fatal incident at the airport since it relocated to Chek Lap Kok from Kai Tak in 1998. The last deadly crash was in 1999, when a China Airlines passenger jet crash-landed during a typhoon, killing three people.

Investigation and Key Questions

Authorities have opened a full inquiry into the crash. Investigators plan to focus on why the plane deviated from its landing path. Airport officials say correct instructions were issued and runway signage is clear.

Steven Yiu, the airport’s operations executive director, emphasised that the patrol car was outside the runway fence and at a safe distance at the time. He said the aircraft did not issue a distress signal and was not expected to turn toward the sea. He stressed that the vehicle “definitely did not” enter the runway.

Weather conditions, the state of the runway, the aircraft itself, and crew actions are all being examined. Officials from the Hong Kong Air Accident Investigation Authority are still trying to retrieve the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder from the water. Police also noted criminal investigations are not being ruled out.

Photo credit: NBC News. All rights reserved.