In a dramatic and tragic incident that has sent shockwaves through the aviation community, authorities in Hong Kong have concluded a complex recovery operation after a Turkish-operated Boeing 747 cargo plane, flying on behalf of Emirates, veered off the runway and plunged into the sea on October 20, 2025. The accident, which occurred during the early hours at Hong Kong International Airport, resulted in the deaths of two airport security workers and left investigators scrambling to piece together the events that led to one of the most serious runway excursions in the airport’s recent history.
The aircraft, registered as TC-ACF and operated by ACT Airlines under a wet-lease for Emirates SkyCargo, was completing flight UAE9788 from Dubai’s Al-Maktoum International Airport. According to the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), the cargo freighter landed just after 3:50 a.m. local time on the North Runway. For reasons not yet fully understood, the plane lost control upon landing, veered off the runway, crashed through a perimeter fence, and struck a security patrol car carrying two airport workers. The impact sent both the aircraft and the patrol vehicle into the waters north of the airport.
Tragically, both security staff members in the patrol car lost their lives—one was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other succumbed to injuries at the hospital. Miraculously, all four crew members aboard the aircraft survived the ordeal. The incident immediately triggered a massive emergency response, with marine authorities, airport emergency teams, and salvage experts coordinating efforts to secure the crash site and begin recovery operations.
Over the following days, recovery crews faced daunting challenges. Specialized salvage vessels were deployed to lift the wreckage from the seabed. On October 24, the aircraft’s tail section was successfully recovered, allowing investigators to retrieve both the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder—critical devices often referred to as the “black boxes.” These were promptly sent to a laboratory for preliminary examination, as confirmed by a government statement cited by The Associated Press.
By October 26, after careful underwater sonar surveys and meticulous planning, the main fuselage of the Boeing 747 was lifted from the waters and placed onto a barge for transport to a secure storage facility. Images from the site revealed that two of the aircraft’s starboard engines remained attached to the wings, while another GE Aerospace CF6 engine and the landing gear assemblies had already been recovered earlier in the week. Salvage teams completed the recovery of all major components by the evening of October 27, marking the end of a painstaking operation that demanded precision and coordination between multiple agencies.
Throughout the recovery process, the North Runway at Hong Kong International Airport was temporarily placed into standby mode to facilitate the salvage work, but flight operations at the busy hub remained largely unaffected, minimizing disruption to airline schedules. Once the final pieces of wreckage were removed, the runway was fully reopened, restoring normal operations.
The investigation into the crash is now being led by the Hong Kong Air Accident Investigation Authority, with support from international partners including the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, Turkey’s Transport Safety Investigation Center, and representatives from Boeing. The scope of the probe is broad, encompassing a detailed analysis of flight data, cockpit recordings, and structural damage to the aircraft. Authorities have emphasized that both mechanical and human factors are under scrutiny, though initial assessments by Steven Yiu, the airport authority’s executive director for airport operations, indicated that weather and runway conditions met required standards at the time of the incident.
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee, addressed the tragedy with a solemn pledge for accountability and transparency. “I extend my deepest condolences and express my profound sympathy to the [victims’] families,” Lee stated before a meeting with the city’s Executive Council, as reported by South China Morning Post. He assured the public that the government is “very concerned about the incident, and we share the families’ hope to identify the cause of the accident as soon as possible.” Lee further promised, “If there are violations of the laws or regulations, we shall hold the responsible people accountable.”
The government has committed all necessary resources and support for the ongoing investigation, underscoring the seriousness with which the incident is being treated. The city’s air accident investigation authority has promised to release a preliminary report within one month, a move aimed at providing early clarity for the victims’ families and the broader public.
The crash has raised pressing questions about ground safety protocols and the risks faced by airport workers, particularly those tasked with perimeter patrols in high-traffic areas. According to AAHK, at the time of the runway excursion, the patrol car from the Aviation Security Company Limited was carrying out routine duties on the perimeter road just outside the runway zone. The vehicle’s proximity to the active runway, combined with the aircraft’s uncontrolled trajectory, proved fatal in a matter of seconds. The incident has prompted renewed calls for a review of airport safety measures and the implementation of additional safeguards to protect ground personnel.
For the aviation industry, the loss of the AirACT Boeing 747-400 represents a sobering reminder of the complexities and potential hazards inherent in airport operations, even at facilities with strong safety records like Hong Kong International Airport. The accident stands out as one of the most significant runway excursions in recent years at the airport, which is renowned for its challenging coastal approach and dense traffic volumes. The fact that the crew survived while ground workers perished has further fueled debate over risk distribution and emergency preparedness in such high-stakes environments.
As the investigation moves forward, all recovered wreckage—including the fuselage, tail, engines, and landing gear—remains under secure storage, accessible only to authorized investigators until a full technical analysis is completed. The findings are expected to inform not only the final report on this crash, but also future policies and best practices aimed at preventing similar tragedies.
Representatives from Emirates, ACT Airlines, and the various investigative bodies have refrained from public speculation about the causes of the crash, awaiting the outcome of the comprehensive inquiry. In the meantime, the families of the two security workers are left mourning their loss, with the city’s leadership and airport authorities vowing to honor their memory by seeking answers and, if necessary, justice.
With the wreckage now secured and the investigation well underway, Hong Kong’s aviation community—and indeed the world—awaits the preliminary findings that may help bring closure to a harrowing chapter in the city’s history. The hope is that lessons learned from this tragedy will lead to safer skies and more secure airports for everyone, both in the air and on the ground.
