Two airport ground staff were killed early on Monday morning when a Boeing 747-400 freighter, operated for Emirates by Turkish carrier ACT Airlines, skidded off the north runway at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and ended up in the sea.
According to Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department (CAD), the accident happened at about 3:50 am local time when flight EK9788 left the runway shortly after landing from Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai.
The cargo aircraft breached the perimeter fence, collided with an airport patrol vehicle, and came to rest partially submerged in the waters off the airfield’s northern edge, after it had split in two.
Emergency teams responded swiftly, rescuing all four crew members on board. The crew sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment. However, the two ground staff inside the patrol vehicle were confirmed dead after being recovered from the sea.
Emirates confirmed that flight EK9788 had been wet-leased from Istanbul-based ACT Airlines, also known as AirACT.
“All four crew members on board have been confirmed safe and are receiving medical attention. Emirates extends its deepest condolences to the families and colleagues of the two airport employees who lost their lives,” the airline said in a statement.
The 32-year-old Boeing 747-400 (registration TC-ACF) was originally delivered to Japan’s All Nippon Airways in 1993 and converted into a freighter in 2011. It is one of two 747 freighters operated by AirACT, which provides charter and ACMI services to global carriers.
The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) of Hong Kong has launched a full inquiry into the crash, STAT Media Group reports.
“The investigation team is collecting data and identifying areas for further analysis to determine the circumstances and causes of the accident,” the AAIA has reportedly said.
Hong Kong’s Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) expressed “deep concern” over the incident and conveyed condolences to the families of the victims.
“Flight safety is of utmost importance,” a spokesperson said, confirming that the AAIA, CAD and Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) would work closely to ensure the continued safety of airport operations.
The north runway at HKIA remains temporarily closed while recovery and inspection work continues. The airport’s south and centre runways are open, allowing limited air traffic to proceed.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the accident, although weather conditions at the time were reportedly calm. The aircraft was not carrying cargo during the flight.
The crash marks one of Hong Kong’s most serious aviation accidents in recent years and the first fatal incident at the airport since it opened at Chek Lap Kok in 1998.
