Two airport security officers died on Monday after a cargo plane veered off the runway and plunged into the sea at Hong Kong International Airport.
The Boeing 747 aircraft, operated by Turkey-based ACT Airlines under lease to Emirates, had arrived from Dubai around 3:50 a.m. The aircraft lost control while taxiing and struck a patrol car before breaking apart and sliding into the water.
All four crew members escaped unharmed. The two security workers in the vehicle were trapped underwater. Rescue divers recovered their bodies after a 40-minute search.
Airport operations chief Steven Yiu said the plane did not request help before landing. He explained that the aircraft had already covered half the runway when it suddenly skidded to the left.
“The patrol car did not enter the runway. It was the plane that went off course and hit the car outside the fence,” Yiu said.
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Emergency teams found the aircraft split in two and partially submerged near the airport’s seawall. The cockpit and front section remained above water, while the tail sank.
Footage from local TV showed rescue boats and divers working around the wreckage.
The north runway, one of three at the airport, was closed for investigation. Other runways remained open, and authorities said flight operations would continue as scheduled.
Weather conditions were normal at the time of the crash. The Air Accident Investigation Authority has begun an inquiry to determine the cause, focusing on aircraft systems, crew actions, and maintenance history.
Investigators are also retrieving the black box and cockpit voice recorder for analysis.
Emirates confirmed that the aircraft, operating as flight EK9788, was under a wet lease from ACT Airlines. Under such agreements, the leasing company provides the crew, maintenance, and insurance. The airline added that there was no cargo on board at the time of the crash.
Flight data shows the Boeing 747 was 32 years old.
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Hong Kong International Airport sits on reclaimed land near the mouth of the Pearl River. The north runway, where the accident occurred, lies just a few hundred meters from the sea an area now central to the investigation.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
