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Monday’s fatal cargo plane crash at the Hong Kong International Airport, which left two ground staff dead after the aircraft ran off the runway and plunged into the sea, has once again drawn attention to Hong Kong’s rare but tragic history of aviation accidents.
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As one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, Hong Kong International Airport handles hundreds of thousands of flights each year. Since its opening on July 6, 1998, the airport has maintained an excellent safety record — though a handful of serious accidents over the decades have marked the city’s aviation history.
Chek Lap Kok era
In the latest tragedy on October 20, 2025, an Emirates SkyCargo Boeing 747 freighter, flight EK9788, veered off the north runway during landing and collided with a ground-service vehicle. Both the plane and vehicle fell into the sea, killing two ground workers.
Before this, the most serious crash since the airport’s relocation from Kai Tak occurred on August 22, 1999, when Typhoon Sam lashed Hong Kong. China Airlines Flight 642, arriving from Bangkok, lost control during its landing attempt at Chek Lap Kok. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 overturned and burst into flames, killing three people and injuring 208. It remains the city’s worst aviation disaster since the 1997 handover and the first fatal incident at the new airport.
China Airlines Flight 642, arriving from Bangkok, lost control during its landing attempt at Chek Lap Kok on August 22, 1999.
Kai Tak era
Before the move to Lantau Island, Hong Kong’s former Kai Tak Airport, known for its challenging approach amid urban density, witnessed several major air accidents.
On November 4, 1993, China Airlines Flight 605 — a Boeing 747-400 — skidded off Runway 13 while attempting to land during Typhoon Ira. With strong crosswinds battering the aircraft, the pilot chose to proceed rather than abort the landing. The jet touched down more than halfway along the runway, failed to stop, and plunged into Victoria Harbour. Twenty-three people were injured, though all 374 on board survived.
On November 4, 1993, China Airlines Flight 605 — a Boeing 747-400 — skidded off Runway 13 at Kai Tak Airport while attempting to land during Typhoon Ira.
Five years earlier, on August 31, 1988, a CAAC Flight 301 Trident aircraft struck the approach lights to Runway 31 in poor weather and rain. The jet careened off the runway into the sea, killing 14 and injuring seven.
On August 31, 1988, a CAAC Flight 301 Trident aircraft struck the approach lights to Runway 31 at Kai Tak Airport in poor weather and rain. The jet careened off the runway into the sea, killing 14 and injuring seven.
Going further back, Kai Tak’s history includes two deadly crashes in 1967. On November 5, Cathay Pacific Flight 33 — a Convair 880 jet — failed to take off, overshooting the runway into the harbour, leaving one dead and 40 injured. Just months earlier, on June 30, Thai International Flight 601, a Sud Aviation SE210 Caravelle, crashed into the sea during typhoon conditions, killing 24 of the 87 people on board.