AviationNews – An Emirates SkyCargo flight skidded off the runway upon landing at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday morning, crashing into the sea and killing two ground staff. The aircraft, a Boeing 747 freighter, collided with an airport patrol car before becoming partially submerged.
The fatal accident occurred around 3:50 a.m. local time. The cargo plane, arriving from Dubai, veered off the north runway during its landing roll. It then struck the patrol car before coming to rest in the water, breaking into two parts. The four crew members aboard the Emirates flight were rescued and reported safe. The two security staff inside the ground vehicle were recovered from the sea by rescue divers, but both were later pronounced dead.
The incident forced the immediate closure of the airport’s north runway, a critical artery for one of the world’s busiest cargo hubs. Marine police and fire department vessels were dispatched to the scene for the complex rescue and recovery operation. The aircraft, operated for Emirates SkyCargo by Turkish carrier Air ACT, was reportedly not carrying any cargo at the time of the crash.
“The patrol car absolutely did not rush onto the runway,” said Steven Yiu, the airport authority’s executive director in airport operations. “It was the plane that went off the runway and crashed into the patrol car outside the fence.”
Hong Kong’s Air Accident Investigation Authority has launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the deadly excursion. Investigators will analyze the flight data and cockpit voice recorders to understand why the cargo plane failed to stay on the runway.
In summary, the tragic Monday morning crash in Hong Kong has resulted in the deaths of two airport ground staff. While the flight crew is safe, the incident highlights significant safety questions and has triggered a major investigation, all while disrupting operations at the major international airport.
