A Boeing 747 cargo aircraft operated by Turkish carrier AirACT skidded off the northern runway at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) early Monday, killing two people in a ground vehicle it struck and pushed into the water.
The flight, arriving from Dubai under an Emirates SkyCargo number, broke apart and partially submerged in the sea near the airport's perimeter.
The Civil Aviation Department said preliminary information indicates that the four crew members on board were rescued and sent to hospital, while two ground staff were affected and fell into the sea, and their conditions are pending confirmation, although several reports said both eventually succumbed to injuries.
The aircraft did not indicate any signs of distress on approach at HKIA, the world's busiest cargo hub.
CAD said air traffic control personnel immediately notified the Airport Authority and other rescue units according to the established procedures.
"An accident occurred at Hong Kong International Airport at around 3.50am today (October 20). A B744 cargo aircraft (flight number UAE9788), arriving from Al Maktoum International Airport, United Arab Emirates, had deviated from the North Runway after landing and ditched into the sea," CAD said in an update.
"The North Runway is closed due to the accident, while the South and Centre Runways will remain operational," it added.
CAD noted that it attaches great importance to the accident and is following up with the relevant parties at the airport, including the airline involved.
It has also reported the incident to the Air Accident Investigation Authority in accordance with the established mechanism and is sparing no effort to support the investigation.
Authorities are still working to determine the cause of the crash, with weather, runway conditions, aircraft performance, and crew actions all under review.
Emirates said in a statement that flight EK9788, a Boeing 747 cargo aircraft wet-leased from ACT Airlines, was damaged during landing at HKIA.
"Crew are confirmed to be safe and there was no cargo onboard," Emirates said.
Authorities at HKIA also confirmed the incident, saying in a statement that the cargo flight UAE9788 was "suspected to have lost control upon landing and veered off the North Runway. The aircraft crashed through the fence into the sea."
"At the time of the runway excursion, a patrol car from the Aviation Security Company Limited with two airport security staff was carrying out patrolling duty on the perimeter road outside the runway zone. The patrol car fell into the waters after being hit by the aircraft," the Airport Authority said. "The security staff found in the patrol car underwater sadly did not survive the incident. One was certified dead at the scene and the other was certified dead at the hospital."
Due to the incident, the North Runway has been closed temporarily, but AAHK noted that the Centre and South Runways operational, flight operations are unaffected.
"The safety design of the airport's runway and apron fully complies with the International Civil Aviation Organization's standards. The weather and operational conditions at the time of the incident met the safety standards when the aircraft landed, according to information available."
AAHK explained that the airport security patrol cars are part of the security operation off the North Runway area, including the North Perimeter Road, ensuring timely response in the event of incidents at any time. "At the time of the incident, the two airport security staff were keeping watch at a designated observation post in accordance with established procedures."
It added that the two staff had worked at the airport for seven and 12 years respectively.
"AAHK will fully cooperate with Civil Aviation Department, Air Accident Investigation Authority, Fire Services Department and Police in the relevant investigations. As the investigation is ongoing, AAHK and relevant authorities will conduct safety assessments before deciding on the reopening time of the North Runway," the Airport Authority added.
