747 plane crashes in Hong Kong after skidding into the sea

Two airport security officers lost their lives in a tragic aviation accident at the busiest cargo airfield in the world early on Monday morning, October 20. A cargo plane pushed the patrol vehicle they were driving into the sea. 

Emirates’ Boeing 747 cargo plane, leased by Turkish carrier Air ACT and operated by Emirates, crashed through a perimeter fencing after landing on the North runway. This was a rare fatal accident at this important global air cargo hub.

Around 3.50am local (20.50 CET), an accident occurred involving the flight EK9788, which was a converted passenger aircraft over 30 years old. The official reports and eyewitnesses describe the aircraft as veering abruptly off Runway07L, colliding violently with a patrol car that was outside the perimeter of security, and finally breaking apart when it fell into adjacent water. Hong Kong’s condolences were expressed after Hong Kong’s two victims, aged 31 and 30, were confirmed dead. Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB), which pledged to conduct a thorough investigation into the causes of the cargo plane crash.

The four crew members on the Boeing 747 were all rescued and taken to hospital for medical checks. confirming They are “safe”, and there was no cargo onboard. Hong Kong International Airport is a logistics hub which, according to the airport’s website, handled 4.9 millions metric tons of freight by 2024. Airports Council International (ACI) data – authorities stress the facility’s safety record, especially in its role as a gateway for electronics, pharmaceuticals, and fast fashion from Shenzhen‘s manufacturing belt.

The path of a Boeing 747 cargo plane crash at the world’s busiest airport for cargo is mapped

The Boeing 747 did not send out any distress signals when it touched down, but for some reason failed to follow the exit signs at Runway 07L. This led the plane to breach the fence, and propel the security car into the water. This aviation incident shows that even the best airports can be vulnerable. Hong Kong handled 30 percent more air cargo in 2024 than Shanghai Pudong International Airport, which was runner-up.

According to the airport logs, there were no weather issues at play, since conditions were perfect. The cause of the accident is not known at this time, but many speculate that it was a malfunction on the Boeing 30 years old.