Runway Tragedy: Emirates Cargo Jet Skids Off Hong Kong Runway Into Sea, Killing Two Ground Workers
HONG KONG—A tragic and rare aviation disaster struck Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) early Monday morning when a cargo jet, operating a flight for Emirates SkyCargo, skidded off the runway, plunged into the sea, and killed two airport ground personnel.
The incident occurred at approximately 3:50 a.m. local time on the airport’s north runway, leaving authorities scrambling to recover the aircraft and investigate the cause of the sudden, unexplained deviation.
The Details of the Catastrophe
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 747-481BDSF freighter (a converted passenger jet over 30 years old), operating as Flight EK9788 from Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai. The plane was wet-leased from and operated by Turkish carrier ACT Airlines.
- Runway Excursion: While landing on the north runway, the aircraft unexpectedly veered sharply to the left. It crashed through the perimeter fencing and continued off the end of the runway.
- Ground Fatalities: The veering aircraft struck a security patrol vehicle traveling on a road outside the runway boundary, pushing the vehicle and its two occupants into the sea. The two security staff members, aged 30 and 41 and reportedly highly experienced, were found trapped in their submerged vehicle by divers. One was confirmed dead at the scene, and the other died shortly after being transported to North Lantau Hospital.
- Aircraft Crew Status: All four crew members aboard the plane survived and managed to escape through emergency doors and slides. They were transported to a local hospital for evaluation and were reported to have no serious injuries. Emirates confirmed the plane was not carrying any cargo at the time of the crash.
- Aircraft Damage: The force of the impact caused the jet’s fuselage to break into two major sections.
Investigation and Airport Operations
Authorities have confirmed that weather and runway conditions were safe and met all operational standards at the time of the incident. Crucially, airport officials reported that the plane did not send a distress signal and was silent on the radio before and after the excursion.
- The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) is leading the investigation, and teams are actively searching for the aircraft’s Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder in the sea.
- The North Runway was immediately closed, a necessary measure for investigation and wreckage recovery. However, HKIA—one of the world’s busiest cargo hubs, which recently opened its third runway—continued operating all passenger flights using its two remaining runways, minimizing overall travel disruption.
Conclusion
The tragic runway excursion at HKIA is a devastating loss for the airport community, highlighting the profound risks faced by ground personnel working near active airfields. The fact that the veteran aircraft veered sharply without warning is an inexplicable mystery that will be the central focus of the AAIA’s investigation. As authorities work to determine why the flight deviated from its path, the aviation community mourns the loss of the two dedicated ground workers.
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Disclaimer
The details in this report are based on official statements from the Hong Kong Airport Authority and the Civil Aviation Department, as well as statements from Emirates (https://www.emirates.com/). The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by the Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA).
