Airport Authority says no distress call before cargo plane crash that killed two ground staff

The Airport Authority (AA) confirmed on Monday that air traffic controllers did not receive any distress call or request for assistance from the Dubai cargo plane that ran off the north runway and plunged into the sea at Hong Kong International Airport, killing two ground staff.

At a press briefing at 10am, AA’s executive director of airport operations, Steven Yiu Siu-Chung, said the patrol vehicle struck by the aircraft had been parked outside the runway fence in its designated area and did not enter the runway.

The cargo plane veered off the runway and crashed through the fence before colliding with the stationary vehicle.

Wesley Yung-wing-lok, Chief Air Traffic Control Officer (Technical and Development), added that the control tower received no distress signal from the freighter before the crash.

“The aircraft suddenly deviated from the runway midway through its landing roll. Our air traffic controllers attempted to contact the pilots, but there was no response,” he said.

The incident occurred at about 3.53am, involving an Emirates SkyCargo Boeing 747-400 (registration TC-ACF) operated by Turkish carrier Air ACT, arriving from Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).

The plane travelled halfway down the runway before it suddenly turned to the left and collided with a security patrol vehicle, pushing it into the sea, officials said.

Fire Services Department officers said they received the report at 3.55am and arrived on scene two minutes later. The fuselage had split into two sections, with four crew members standing near the opened cabin door awaiting rescue. All four were evacuated via an emergency slide and were uninjured.

Rescue divers located the patrol vehicle about 40 minutes later, roughly 5 meters from shore and 7 meters underwater. Two male security staff were trapped inside.

A 30-year-old passenger was confirmed dead at the scene, while a 41-year-old driver was found unconscious and sent to North Lantau Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6.26am.

Yiu said the aircraft’s black boxes have yet to be recovered.

“We are still searching for the flight data and cockpit voice recorders. The crew remains in hospital, and a detailed investigation will follow once they are stable,” he said.

The AA has contacted the airline and the aircraft owner, who are sending representatives to Hong Kong to discuss the retrieval of the wreckage.

The Civil Aviation Accident Investigation Authority has classified the case as an accident and will examine all possible causes, including aircraft systems, maintenance records, pilot operation, weather, and runway conditions. Police are also reviewing evidence and have not ruled out the possibility of a criminal investigation.

The AA said the weather and runway conditions at the time were suitable for operations, and both the south and center runways continue to handle around 1,000 scheduled flights today. The north runway will remain closed until the aircraft is removed and safety inspections are complete.

Meanwhile, the AA expressed deep condolences to the families of the two deceased security staff, who had served at the airport for 7 and 12 years, respectively.