§  Hong Kong Airport Cargo Plane Crash

§  Emirates Boeing 747 Skids into Sea, Killing 2 Ground Crew

§  Hong Kong Cargo Plane Plunges Into Sea — 2 Dead, Runway Shut

§  Emirates SkyCargo EK9788 Slides Off Runway into Sea, Two Killed

Tragedy at Hong Kong Airport: Hong Kong International Airport witnessed one of its most catastrophic aviation disasters in recent history as an Emirates SkyCargo cargo plane skidded off the runway and plunged into the sea during an early morning landing on Monday, October 20, 2025, claiming two lives and sending shockwaves through the global aviation community.

The Boeing 747-400 freighter, operating as flight EK9788 from Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport, veered off the north runway at approximately 3:53 AM local time after arriving from the United Arab Emirates. The massive cargo jet, operated by Turkish carrier AirACT on behalf of Emirates SkyCargo, careened off course during its landing roll, striking a ground service vehicle before breaking through the seawall and coming to rest partially submerged in the water.

The Fatal Collision: Ground Workers Killed in Airport Tragedy

The incident turned fatal when the aircraft collided with an airport ground vehicle positioned near the runway during the emergency. Two male workers inside the vehicle—aged 30 and 41—were thrown into the sea as the massive Boeing 747 tore across the tarmac. Emergency responders from the Hong Kong Fire Services Department arrived at the scene within two minutes of the alarm being raised at 3:55 AM.

One worker was pulled from the water and declared dead at the scene at 5:55 AM, while the second victim was rushed to North Lantau Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries at 6:26 AM. The deaths marked a tragic milestone for Hong Kong International Airport, making this one of the most serious accidents in the airport’s 27-year operational history.

Crew Survives as Aircraft Breaks Apart

All four crew members aboard the cargo aircraft survived the harrowing crash and were rescued from the wreckage. Emergency teams deployed helicopters from Hong Kong’s Government Flying Service and marine vessels to conduct rescue operations in challenging conditions. The crew members forced open the aircraft door while awaiting rescue and were subsequently transported to nearby hospitals for medical evaluation.

Dramatic images shared on social media showed the aircraft broken into two sections with the tail section completely severed from the fuselage. The front portion of the Boeing 747 remained visible above water, leaning against the airport’s seawall, while escape slides were deployed along the damaged fuselage.

Flight Data Reveals Terrifying Final Moments

According to granular flight tracking data from Flightradar24, the 32-year-old Boeing 747-400BDSF (registration TC-ACF) was traveling at 90 knots over the ground when it began veering off the runway approximately 5,000 feet from the threshold. As the aircraft careened toward the seawall, its speed decreased to 49 knots upon impact with the water with the final transmission showing a velocity of 43 knots.

The aircraft veered sharply left after touchdown on Runway 07L—the airport’s northernmost runway—forcing a Cathay Pacific flight directly behind it to abort its landing approach. Weather conditions at the time showed winds of 4 knots with gusts up to 21 knots, though investigators have not yet determined whether weather played a role in the accident.

Airport Operations Disrupted, Investigation Launched

The north runway at Hong Kong International Airport—one of Asia’s busiest aviation hubs and the world’s busiest cargo airport—was immediately closed following the incident. However, the airport’s two other runways continued normal operations to minimize disruption to air traffic.

At least 11 cargo flights scheduled to arrive at Hong Kong International Airport on Monday were cancelled due to the incident, though passenger flight operations remained largely unaffected. A total of 213 firefighters and emergency medical personnel were dispatched to the scene, supported by 45 vehicles and boats.

Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department released a statement confirming that the aircraft “deviated from the north runway after landing and ditched into the sea”. The department has reported the incident to Hong Kong’s Air Accident Investigation Authority, which has launched a comprehensive probe into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Emirates and AirACT Respond to Disaster

Emirates confirmed in an official statement that flight EK9788 “sustained damage on landing” and emphasized that the Boeing 747 cargo aircraft was wet-leased from and operated by ACT Airlines. In wet lease arrangements, the supplying company provides not only the aircraft but also the crew, maintenance and insurance.

Crucially, Emirates stated that there was no cargo onboard the aircraft at the time of the accident, which may have prevented an even more catastrophic outcome. The empty cargo hold meant the aircraft was not carrying hazardous materials or valuable freight that could have complicated rescue efforts.

AirACT, formerly known as MyCargo Airlines, is a Turkish charter cargo operator that provides supplemental cargo capacity to major airlines worldwide. The company operates a small fleet with this Boeing 747-400 being one of only two aircraft in its inventory at the time of the accident.

The Aircraft’s Three-Decade Journey

The ill-fated Boeing 747-400 (MSN 25645, registration TC-ACF) had a remarkable 32-year operational history before the tragic accident. The aircraft was originally delivered to All Nippon Airways (ANA) on June 3, 1993, making its first flight on May 19 of that year.

Over its three decades of service, the aircraft changed hands multiple times, serving with GE Capital Aviation Services (January 2011), ACT Airlines (August 2011), MyCargo (October 2011), Magma Aviation (September 2012), Saudia (September 2013) and finally returning to AirACT in August 2020. Before its conversion to a cargo freighter, the aircraft even wore a special Pokémon-themed livery during its passenger service days with ANA.

Second Aviation Fire Incident in One Weekend

The Hong Kong cargo crash occurred just one day after another alarming mid-air emergency in Asian skies. On Saturday, October 18, 2025, Air China flight CA139 from Hangzhou to Seoul was forced to make an emergency landing in Shanghai after a lithium battery in a passenger’s carry-on luggage spontaneously ignited in the overhead compartment.

Dramatic videos circulating on social media showed bright orange flames and thick smoke billowing from the overhead bin as panicked passengers screamed for help. Flight attendants rushed forward with fire extinguishers, quickly bringing the blaze under control. The Airbus A321-232 safely diverted to Shanghai Pudong International Airport at approximately 11:00 AM and no injuries were reported.

The Air China incident underscored growing safety concerns about lithium-ion batteries in air travel which can undergo “thermal runaway”—a self-heating reaction that may lead to explosions if damaged, overheated or overcharged. The US Federal Aviation Administration has documented 38 cases in 2025 alone where lithium batteries caused smoke, fire or excessive heat in passenger or cargo aircraft.

Historical Context: Rare But Deadly Accidents

The Hong Kong cargo plane crash ranks among the most serious incidents at the airport since its opening in 1998. The accident echoes a 1999 incident when three people died after a China Airlines flight crashed during a typhoon landing and flipped upside down.

The October 20 accident also bears similarities to another China Airlines incident at Hong Kong’s former Kai Tak Airport, when a Boeing 747 overran the runway during typhoon conditions and became submerged in water beyond the runway threshold, injuring around two dozen passengers and crew.

Runway excursions—when an aircraft departs the paved surface during takeoff or landing—are among the most common types of aviation accidents worldwide. While they typically result in fewer fatalities than mid-air disasters, they can be highly destructive and dangerous, particularly at airports located near water or densely populated areas like Hong Kong.

Read More: 200 Flutes Echo ‘Mayabini’ at Zubeen Garg’s Memorial One Month After Tragic Death

Impact on Global Aviation Safety

The dual incidents over one weekend have reignited conversations about aviation safety protocols, particularly concerning cargo aircraft operations and lithium battery regulations on passenger flights. Hong Kong International Airport, situated directly along the sea, faces unique challenges when runway overruns occur, as the proximity to water significantly increases the severity of such accidents.

Aviation safety experts emphasize that while air travel remains statistically one of the safest modes of transportation, incidents like these highlight ongoing challenges facing the industry. Cargo planes face unique operational difficulties due to their heavy weight, long landing rolls and frequent nighttime operations, all of which increase the complexity of safe runway management.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently launched its “Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries” campaign, promoting seven simple rules for safe handling of rechargeable battery-powered devices. UAE airlines have already tightened regulations with some banning the use of power banks onboard all flights starting October 1, 2025.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Aviation Safety

As investigation teams continue to examine the wreckage and analyze flight data from the Hong Kong cargo plane disaster, the aviation community faces critical questions about runway safety protocols, ground vehicle positioning near active runways and cargo aircraft operational procedures at busy international airports.

The tragic loss of two ground workers serves as a somber reminder that aviation safety extends beyond passengers and crew to encompass the entire airport ecosystem including the dedicated ground personnel who work tirelessly to keep global air travel moving. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten as authorities work to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Hong Kong’s Air Accident Investigation Authority is expected to release preliminary findings within weeks with a comprehensive final report likely taking months to complete. The investigation will examine all factors including weather conditions, aircraft systems, pilot procedures, runway conditions and ground vehicle protocols to determine the exact cause of this devastating accident.

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