Early Monday, a cargo plane arriving from Dubai skidded off the runway at Hong Kong International Airport and partially plunged into the sea, resulting in the deaths of two ground staff.
The Emirates SkyCargo flight EK9788, operated by Turkish carrier Air ACT, landed on the airport’s north runway (07R) around 03:53 am local time after departing from Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai.
New footage shows the Boeing 747 that veered off the runway in Hong Kong after colliding with a ground vehicle, resulting in two fatalities.
📹 Source: OSINTTechnical via @aero_in
✈️ See full flight data: https://t.co/sEhePJSsr6 https://t.co/kI3wyqvNLk pic.twitter.com/YJgAHBU94o— AirNav Radar (@AirNavRadar) October 20, 2025
Boeing 747 Freighter Veers Off Landing Path
The Boeing 747-481 (BDSF), registered TC-ACF, reportedly veered left midway through its landing roll, crashing into a ground-service vehicle before coming to rest with its nose over the seawall.
According to local media sources, the impact sheared off one of the vehicle’s wheels. Fortunately, all four crew members on board escaped unharmed.
Tragic Loss of Ground Staff
Two men aboard the ground vehicle were killed in the crash:
- Aged 30, pulled from the sea and confirmed dead at 5:55 am.
- Aged 41, sent to North Lantau Hospital and confirmed dead at 6:26 am.
Rescue operations are ongoing, involving fire services, marine police, and a Government Flying Service helicopter. Emergency teams have cordoned off the runway area while the search continues.
Flight Disruptions and Airport Response
Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 indicated the aircraft’s landing trajectory shifted sharply left shortly after touchdown.
A Cathay Pacific flight CX851, preparing to land on the same runway, was forced to abort its approach and divert to the south runway following the crash.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the incident. The north runway will remain closed until debris is cleared and safety inspections are completed. The Airport Authority Hong Kong has yet to release an official statement.
International Coverage and Flight Details
Reuters reported that the cargo plane, arriving from Dubai, skidded off the runway early Monday. All four crew members survived, while two ground staff lost their lives.
Flightradar24 confirmed the aircraft was a Boeing 747 freighter, operating under an Emirates flight number. One ground staff member was also rescued, while another was initially reported missing.
Conclusion
The Hong Kong Plane Crash has caused significant disruption at the airport and raised safety concerns for ground operations. Authorities continue investigations as rescue teams work to clear the runway and recover debris.
