An ACT Airlines cargo plane operating the Dubai–Hong Kong route collided with a service vehicle on the runway after landing. The aircraft sustained severe damage and submerged in water, while the four crew members escaped unharmed.
In an accident that occurred at Hong Kong International Airport at around 03:53 local time on 20 October, a cargo plane belonging to ACT Airlines collided with a service vehicle on the runway, sustaining heavy damage. The Boeing 747-400F aircraft skidded to the edge of the runway after the collision, its fuselage breaking apart and sinking into the water.
The four crew members on board the aircraft, which was operating cargo flight EK9788 from Dubai to Hong Kong, miraculously escaped without injuries. Eyewitnesses reported that the plane made a smooth landing on runway 07 but shortly thereafter struck a service vehicle positioned on the runway.
Rescue teams dispatched to the area managed to recover the submerged fuselage after intense efforts. Authorities announced that a technical inspection would be conducted on the damaged aircraft.
Investigation Launched
The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (CAD) has launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident. Initial findings suggest that the accident may have been caused by a coordination error related to vehicle traffic on the runway rather than weather conditions.
The Boeing 747-400F involved in the accident was manufactured in 1993 and had been part of ACT Airlines’ fleet since 2011. The company was operating the flight on behalf of Emirates SkyCargo at the time of the incident.
