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The Night the Jumbo Jet Veered: A Deadly Runway Excursion at Hong Kong International Airport

The Mirage of Peace in Gaza's Second Act

Monday, 20 October 2025 08:37

Abstract

In the pre-dawn hours of October 20, 2025, a Boeing 747-400 cargo jet arriving from Dubai skidded violently off the north runway at Hong Kong International Airport, colliding with a ground service vehicle and plunging into the sea. The catastrophic runway excursion resulted in the deaths of two airport ground staff, marking the financial hub's deadliest airport incident in over a quarter of a century. The subsequent investigation focuses on the sudden, unexplained deviation of the aircraft from its landing path, despite clear weather and optimal runway conditions.

Historical Context

Recent Findings

A Routine Arrival Turns Catastrophic

The incident unfolded in the early hours of Monday, October 20, 2025, at one of the world’s busiest air cargo hubs, Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)14,15. Emirates SkyCargo Flight EK9788, a Boeing 747-481(BDSF) freighter, was completing its journey from Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates2,5,12. The aircraft, registered as TC-ACF, was operated by the Turkish carrier Air ACT under a wet-lease agreement with Emirates SkyCargo5,7,9,13. The flight was scheduled to land on the north runway, designated 07R2. At approximately 3:53 a.m. local time, the jumbo jet touched down2,5,12.

Initial flight data and official statements indicate that the landing was proceeding without any reported issues4,6,11. Air traffic control personnel had directed the flight to the north runway and did not receive any distress call or request for assistance from the flight crew4,6,9,11,15. However, midway through its landing roll, the aircraft suddenly and abruptly veered left2,4,6,9,11,15. This deviation from the normal path of travel was unexpected and immediate11,15. The massive freighter failed to stop within the confines of the runway, crashing through the perimeter fence and continuing its trajectory toward the sea6,15. The aircraft’s speed upon impact with the water was estimated to be around 49 knots5. The force of the impact caused the fuselage to break into two major sections, with the nose and cockpit coming to rest partially submerged near the coastal breakwater4,9,13,14,15. The tail section was observed to have separated from the main body of the aircraft5,9,13.

Collision and Fatalities on the Ground

The runway excursion had immediate and tragic consequences on the ground. As the Boeing 747 veered off the tarmac, it struck a ground service vehicle, variously described as a security patrol car or an airfield patrol vehicle3,4,6,8,9,11. The vehicle was not on the runway itself but was operating in its designated area along a road outside the runway fence3,6,9,11,15. Steven Yiu, the executive director of airport operations at Airport Authority Hong Kong, confirmed that the patrol car was in its usual area and “definitely didn’t rush onto the runway”6,9,11,15. The aircraft’s impact with the vehicle was severe, reportedly ripping off one of the vehicle’s wheels and causing substantial damage2,12. The collision shunted the vehicle and its two occupants into the sea7,13,15.

Two male ground staff members were in the vehicle at the time of the collision2,3,4,7,8,10,12,14,15. Both men were ejected into the water2,12. The Fire Services Department (HKFSD) and Marine Police immediately launched a large-scale search and rescue operation, deploying 213 firefighters and paramedics, 45 firefighting vehicles, and multiple vessels and helicopters2,14. Rescue divers recovered the two men from the sea around 5 a.m.2,12,14. One of the victims, a man aged 30, was confirmed dead at the scene at 5:55 a.m.4,6. The second victim, a man aged 41, was transported unconscious to North Lantau Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:26 a.m.2,4,6,12. The two fatalities marked the deadliest incident at the airport since it commenced operations in 19986,11,15.

In contrast, the four crew members aboard the Boeing 747 freighter were all rescued and confirmed to be safe, having evacuated the aircraft using an emergency slide2,3,4,7,8,9,10,12,13,14,15. Emirates confirmed in a statement that the crew were safe and that the aircraft was not carrying any cargo at the time of the crash5,7,10,13,15.

The Focus of the Investigation

The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) of Hong Kong immediately classified the event as an accident and launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the deadly excursion3,6,9,11,15. The investigation is comprehensive, looking into multiple factors including the aircraft’s system, its operation, and its maintenance9,11. A critical early step in the process is the recovery and analysis of the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder, which are expected to provide crucial insight into the crew’s actions and the aircraft’s performance in the moments leading up to the crash3,9.

Initial statements from airport officials have narrowed the focus by ruling out several common factors in aviation accidents. Steven Yiu confirmed that the weather conditions at the time of the landing were suitable, and the runway conditions were safe, meeting all operational requirements4,6,9,13. The wind speed was reported as 4 knots, with gusts up to 21 knots, which is well within safe operating limits5. The absence of a distress call from the flight crew is also a significant data point for investigators4,6,11,15. The investigation will therefore concentrate on why the aircraft, which was 32 years old and had previously served as a passenger plane before being converted to a freighter, suddenly veered left after touchdown5,7,9. The aircraft was first delivered to All Nippon Airways in June 19935. The police have also stated that they will not rule out launching a criminal investigation into the circumstances of the crash6. The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) confirmed that air traffic controllers immediately notified rescue units once the plane deviated from its route4,10.

Operational Impact and Safety Record

The accident forced the immediate closure of the north runway, a vital artery for HKIA, which is a major global cargo hub3,8,10,13. The airport authority, however, was able to maintain operations by utilising the south and central runways4,8,10,11,13,15. The incident resulted in the cancellation of twelve cargo flights throughout the day, but passenger flights were largely unaffected, with only six flights experiencing minor delays ranging from five to fifteen minutes4,5,11. The north runway remained closed pending safety inspections and the complex recovery of the partially submerged Boeing 7472,8,10,11,13,15.

The incident is a rare and serious breach of the airport’s strong safety record7,11,15. Hong Kong International Airport, which opened in 1998, has generally maintained a high standard of operational safety6,11. The crash is considered the most serious incident at the facility in more than 25 years11,15. The event has prompted a review of ground coordination and landing safety protocols at the airport16. The Air Accident Investigation Authority is receiving support from Turkish and Emirati aviation authorities as part of the international investigation16. The focus remains on a thorough, objective analysis to prevent any recurrence of such a catastrophic runway excursion.

Conclusion

The tragic loss of two ground staff members following the runway excursion of Emirates SkyCargo Flight EK9788 has cast a shadow over Hong Kong International Airport’s operational history4,11,15. The immediate closure of the north runway and the complex marine recovery operation underscore the severity of the accident3,14. With initial reports confirming optimal weather and runway conditions, the investigation by the Air Accident Investigation Authority is now centred on the sudden, unexplained leftward deviation of the Boeing 747 freighter during its landing roll4,6,11,15. The recovery of the flight recorders is paramount to understanding the sequence of events that led to the collision with the patrol vehicle and the subsequent plunge into the sea, providing the necessary data to address the significant safety questions raised by this rare and fatal incident3,9,16.

References

  1. Two ground staff killed after Dubai cargo plane crashes off runway at HK airport, hits service vehicle

    Supports the date, time, flight number (EK9788), aircraft type (Boeing 747-481 BDSF), registration (TC-ACF), operator (Air ACT), origin (Dubai/DWC), runway (07R), veering left, collision with ground service vehicle, two ground staff deaths (driver unconscious to hospital, passenger dead at scene), and crew survival.

  2. Two Dead as Emirates Cargo Plane Skids into Sea at Hong Kong - Aviation News

    Confirms the date (October 20, 2025), time (around 3:50 a.m.), two ground staff deaths, the aircraft breaking into two parts, the closure of the north runway, and the launch of a full investigation by the Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA).

  3. 2 dead after Emirates cargo plane veers off Hong Kong runway into sea - as it happened

    Provides the specific time (3:50 a.m.), the fact that weather and runway conditions were safe, the plane veered left, struck a security patrol vehicle, the specific ages and times of death for the two ground staff (30-year-old at 5:55 a.m., 41-year-old at 6:26 a.m.), the lack of a distress call, and the minimal impact on passenger flights (six flights affected).

  4. Emirates SkyCargo Flight 9788 - Wikipedia

    Provides the full date (October 20, 2025), aircraft registration (TC-ACF), type (Boeing 747-481BDSF), operator (Air ACT), flight number (EK9788), origin (DWC), first flight date (May 19, 1993), first delivery (All Nippon Airways, June 3, 1993), the aircraft hitting the water at 49 knots, and the wind speed (4 knots with gusts up to 21 knots).

  5. Cargo plane skids off Hong Kong runway, kills two

    Confirms the time (around 4 a.m.), the plane hitting a security patrol car outside the fence, the ages of the victims (30 and 41), the fact that weather and runway conditions were safe, the plane did not send an emergency signal, and the police not ruling out a criminal investigation.

  6. At Least 2 Dead After Plane Slides Off Runway, Crashes into Vehicle and Then Plummets in the Ocean Nearby

    Confirms the aircraft was a 32-year-old Boeing 747, the wet-lease arrangement with ACT Airlines, the crew being safe, and the plane not carrying cargo.

  7. Two people killed when plane skids off Hong Kong airport runway

    Confirms the time (just before 4 a.m.), the two fatalities, the closure of the north runway, and the continued operation of the south and central runways.

  8. Two people killed in Hong Kong cargo plane crash

    Confirms the aircraft was flown by Turkey-based ACT Airlines, the wet-lease by Emirates, the plane veered off to the left, the crew did not seek help, the plane broke into two parts, and the search for the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder.

  9. 2 dead after cargo plane slides off runway in Hong Kong

    Confirms the flight number (UAE9788), the time (around 3:50 a.m.), the origin (Al Maktoum International Airport), the veering off the north runway, the two ground staff falling into the sea, and the closure of the north runway.

  10. Cargo plane slides off runway in Hong Kong, killing two airport staff

    Confirms the accident was the deadliest in more than 25 years, the investigation includes weather, runway conditions, aircraft, and aircrew, the pilot did not report technical issues, and the security patrol car was outside the runway fence.

  11. Hong Kong plane crash: Cargo jet skids off runway into sea; two dead

    Confirms the time (3:53 a.m.), the runway (07R), the aircraft registration (TC-ACF), the collision tearing off a wheel, and the two male staff members being ejected into the sea and recovered around 5 a.m.

  12. Cargo plane slides off runway in Hong Kong killing two people

    Confirms the aircraft was a Boeing 747 cargo aircraft wet-leased from ACT Airlines, the crew were safe, the plane was not carrying cargo, and the two security staff were killed when the aircraft struck their vehicle, shunting it into the sea.

  13. Cargo jet crash off Hong Kong airport sparks massive marine rescue

    Confirms the time (about 3:50 a.m.), the aircraft breaking apart upon impact with the water, the nose coming to rest on the coastal breakwater, the ages of the ground staff (driver in his 40s, passenger in his 30s), and the deployment of 213 firefighters and paramedics.

  14. Cargo Plane Crash in Hong Kong Kills Two Airport Staff

    Confirms the time (around 3:50 a.m.), the plane veering off the north runway, the collision with the patrol vehicle, the two security officers being pulled from the water, the incident being the deadliest in more than 25 years, and the plane veering left after landing.

  15. Cargo Plane Overshoots Runway at Hong Kong Airport, Killing Two Ground Workers

    Confirms the investigation is supported by Turkish and Emirati aviation authorities and that the accident underscores the importance of ground coordination and landing safety protocols.