Freighter skids into sea during early-morning landing
A runway accident at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday morning left two airport employees dead after a Boeing 747 cargo jet lost control while landing and crashed into the sea. The aircraft, operated by Turkey’s ACT Airlines for Emirates SkyCargo, was completing a flight from Dubai when it veered off the north runway at around 3:50 a.m. local time. The plane broke through a security barrier and slammed into a patrol vehicle before coming to rest partly submerged in the water. All four crew members survived the crash and were treated for minor injuries.
Investigators recover flight recorders amid probe
The Air Accident Investigation Authority has begun analyzing data from the aircraft’s black boxes to determine the cause of the accident. Officials said weather and visibility were normal, ruling out environmental factors. Engineers are focusing on the jet’s braking and steering systems as possible sources of failure. Cleanup and salvage operations are continuing, and the damaged runway has been temporarily closed while safety checks are carried out.
Flights rerouted as officials promise full review
Passenger operations at the airport have largely continued, with flights diverted to the two remaining runways. The Civil Aviation Department expressed condolences to the victims’ families and pledged a transparent investigation. The fatal crash, one of the most serious incidents at Hong Kong’s airport in recent years, has prompted renewed scrutiny of ground safety standards and emergency procedures for staff working near active runways.
