Emirates Flight EK9788 Crashes, Two Security Staff Dead in Hong Kong

A cargo aircraft operated by ACT Airlines (9T) on behalf of Emirates SkyCargo (EK) skidded off the north runway of Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) early Monday morning, colliding with an airport patrol vehicle before both vehicles plunged into the sea. Two airport security personnel in the vehicle were killed in the accident, while all four crew members aboard the Boeing 747-400 freighter survived without serious injuries.

The accident occurred around 3:50 a.m. local time as flight EK9788, arriving from Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Dubai, completed its landing rollout. The aircraft reportedly maintained a normal approach and touchdown before veering left halfway down the runway, breaching the airport perimeter fence and striking the stationary patrol car.

EK9788 Accident Sequence and Immediate Response

Flight tracking data suggests that for the past week, the Flight EK9788 was being operated from Al Maktoum International Airport [which according to the Irish Independent, is “the sheikhdom’s second airport where it plans a $35 billion improvement over the coming decade“] to Hong Kong International Airport and had a flight time of approximately seven hours. Here are the details of its past few flights, as reported by Flight Aware:

The 32-year-old Boeing 747-481(BDSF), registered TC-ACF, involved in this accident came to rest in shallow waters just off the airport’s northern seawall.

The freighter broke into two major sections, with its forward fuselage and cockpit remaining above the surface while the tail section submerged, as can be seen in the picture below:

Emergency teams arrived within minutes and began search and rescue operations under limited visibility. The four-flight crew were rescued from the aircraft’s upper deck without injury. Divers later recovered the bodies of the two ground workers after a 40-minute underwater search.

The North Runway at Hong Kong International Airport was closed immediately following the incident, while the South and Centre Runways remained operational. The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) said air traffic controllers promptly notified the Airport Authority and relevant emergency response units in accordance with established procedures.

According to preliminary information cited by the CAD, all four crew members aboard the aircraft were rescued and taken to hospital. Two ground staff were also reportedly affected and fell into the sea, although their conditions had not been confirmed at the time of the statement.

The closure of the North Runway was implemented as emergency services responded to the incident, with airport operations continuing on the remaining two runways.

Hong Kong International Airport’s two remaining runways continued operations, limiting the overall disruption to passenger and cargo flights. Airport officials stated that weather conditions at the time were stable, with visibility and crosswinds within operational limits.

EK9788 crash: Aircraft and Operator Profile

ACT Airlines (AirACT)

Emirates confirmed that the Boeing 747-400F was operating as a wet-leased aircraft under its cargo division, with no freight onboard during the flight. The airline added that all four crew members were safe and cooperating with local authorities.

The jet served ANA for nearly 17 years, ending its tenure with the carrier in February 2010, according to ch-aviation (quoted in Simple Flying). Here’s a timeline showing the aircraft’s fate

• Between 1999 and 2006, the aircraft featured a Pokémon-themed livery, as noted by Planespotters.net.

• After being withdrawn from ANA service, the plane was stored in Xiamen and later in Tel Aviv.

• While in Tel Aviv, it underwent conversion from a passenger aircraft to a cargo freighter.

• Following its conversion, the jet was ferried to Istanbul in August 2011, where it joined Air ACT’s fleet under the registration TC-ACF.

EK9799 crashed in Hong Kong International Airport, an aerodrome that was built on reclaimed land by merging two smaller islands: The northern edge of the north runway, which was closed following the crash, lies within a few hundred meters (yards) from the water.

Aircraft Details – Boeing 747-481(BDSF) TC-ACF

Steven Yiu, Executive Director of Airport Operations at the Airport Authority Hong Kong, clarified that the patrol car had been positioned outside the active runway area, stating that “it was the aircraft that went off the runway and crashed into the patrol car outside the fence.”

Photo: Turbine Traveler -X

The investigation will focus on factors such as:

• Aircraft flight’s system
• Aircraft operation
• Maintenance

These factors are being looked into as the weather conditions in HKG airport are highly unlikely to have caused the accident. Investigators will now look into the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder to learn more about the accident, and the following systems will be of main focus:

• The aircraft’s braking systems
• Directional control
• Potential maintenance or component-wear issues