On October 20, 2025, a Boeing 747-400 freighter operated by ACT Airways on behalf of Emirates crashed into the ocean after veering off the runway throughout touchdown at Hong Kong Worldwide Airport (HKG).
The Boeing 747-400F, registered TC-ACF, was working flight EK9788 from Dubai Al Maktoum Worldwide Airport (DWC) to Hong Kong, with 4 crew members onboard. The plane departed Dubai on the night of October 19 and was resulting from arrive in Hong Kong early the following morning.
At roughly 3:52 AM native time (19:52 UTC Oct 19), the freighter landed on Runway 07L and initially slowed usually to about 100 knots. Nonetheless, moments later, it started veering left off the runway, broke by the airport’s perimeter fence, collided with a floor patrol car, and plunged into the ocean whereas nonetheless transferring at roughly 60 knots.
The collision killed each occupants of the patrol automobile, recognized as airport safety personnel. All 4 crew members onboard the plane survived and have been rescued from the wreckage by emergency responders earlier than being taken to native hospitals.
Emirates later confirmed that every one crew have been protected and that the plane was not carrying cargo on the time of the crash.
Emergency Response and Casualties
Rescue operations commenced inside minutes, with marine police, firefighters, and airport emergency items deployed to the location. In line with authorities, all 4 flight crew members have been retrieved from the partially submerged wreckage and transferred to close by hospitals for medical analysis.
Tragically, two airport safety employees within the patrol car struck by the plane have been pronounced useless on the scene. The car was later discovered submerged close to the shoreline of the north runway.
The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) of Hong Kong confirmed it has opened a full investigation into the incident.
Climate Circumstances and Doable Components
Climate information from Hong Kong on the time of the incident indicated calm to reasonable wind circumstances and good visibility, ruling out poor climate as a right away contributing issue. The plane appeared to have landed usually earlier than out of the blue veering off the runway, suggesting a possible technical or mechanical problem through the rollout part.
The Boeing 747-400F concerned was roughly 32 years previous and operated by ACT Airways (MyCargo Airways), a Turkish cargo provider that repeatedly conducts freighter operations for Emirates beneath a wet-lease settlement.
Runway 07L at Hong Kong Worldwide Airport sits alongside the island’s northern shoreline, with minimal buffer between the runway’s finish and the ocean. This geographic constraint might have exacerbated the severity of the accident as soon as the plane breached the fence line.
Investigation and Operational Affect
The AAIA will analyze flight information and cockpit voice recorders to find out what brought on the lack of directional management. Investigators are anticipated to give attention to the plane’s braking techniques, reverse thrust deployment, tire or touchdown gear situation, and any anomalies throughout rollout.
Following the crash, operations at Hong Kong Worldwide Airport have been briefly suspended on the North Runway (07L/25R) for inspection and restoration work. Different runways remained open, permitting restricted flight operations to proceed.
The plane was declared a complete loss after breaking up upon influence with the water.
