A tragic accident unfolded in the early hours of Monday at Hong Kong International Airport when a cargo aircraft veered off the runway during landing, struck a ground patrol vehicle, and skidded into the adjacent sea, killing two airport workers.
The aircraft, a Boeing 747-400 operated by Turkey-based ACT Airlines on behalf of Emirates SkyCargo under a short-term wet lease, was arriving from Dubai when it lost control shortly after touchdown on the airport’s northern runway around 4:00 a.m. local time.
According to Hong Kong’s Airport Authority, the plane suddenly deviated left midway along the runway, breached the perimeter fence, and collided with a patrol car located just beyond the restricted airside zone.
The impact forced the vehicle into the water, resulting in the immediate death of one occupant and critical injuries to the second, who later died in hospital.
Divers recovered both victims, aged 30 and 41, approximately five meters from shore.
Their identities have not been released pending official notification of their families.
Images from the crash site show the aircraft’s fuselage partially submerged in seawater, its emergency evacuation slides deployed.
Authorities confirmed there was no cargo on board at the time of the incident, and all crew members escaped unharmed.
Airport Authority executive Steven Yiu, addressing reporters on Monday, clarified that weather and runway conditions were within safe operational parameters at the time of landing.
He emphasised that the patrol vehicle was not on the runway but stationed outside the boundary when it was struck by the out-of-control plane.
“This was not a runway incursion. The aircraft veered off and struck the vehicle, which was outside the airside fencing,” Yiu said.
A preliminary diagram released by the airport showed the aircraft abruptly turning left along the runway’s midsection.
Notably, the flight issued no distress signal and failed to respond to radio calls from the control tower moments before the crash.
The north runway was shut down temporarily for emergency response and investigation, though the airport’s other two runways remained fully operational, minimizing disruption at one of the world’s busiest air freight hubs.
The Hong Kong Transport and Logistics Bureau has ordered a comprehensive investigation, with the city’s Air Accident Investigation Authority taking the lead.
A police spokesman said they would not rule out a criminal inquiry, depending on the findings.
Emergency services, including the Government Flying Service and fireboats, were quickly deployed to assist in the rescue and recovery operation.
The scene has since been secured as forensic teams continue their examination.
In a statement, Emirates confirmed the aircraft involved was operated under a wet lease and reiterated that the crew was safe.
“We are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities to support the investigation,” the airline noted.
Hong Kong International Airport, a critical global air cargo gateway, has recently expanded to accommodate growing demand.
A third runway opened in 2024 as part of a HK$142 billion ($18 billion USD) development project aimed at maintaining the city’s position as a top aviation hub.
This crash marked one of the most serious incidents at the airport since its relocation to Chek Lap Kok in 1998.
Authorities have assured the public that safety remains a top priority and that lessons will be drawn from the investigation to prevent future tragedies.
