The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), an independent federal investigative agency, will dispatch a team to assist in the investigation of the cargo plane crash at Hong Kong International Airport.
Read more: Air traffic recording sheds light on final moments before cargo plane veered into sea
According to a social media post by the NTSB, a team of five investigators will support the Hong Kong Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) in probing the runway excursion involving a Boeing 747-418 aircraft.
Under Annex 13 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the AAIA is responsible for leading the investigation and for controlling the release of all related information.
The NTSB is sending a team of five investigators to Hong Kong to assist the Air Accident Investigation Authority investigation into Monday's runway excursion at Hong Kong International Airport involving a Boeing 747-418 owned by Turkish cargo airline ACT Airlines. In accordance…
— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) October 21, 2025
AAIA Chief Accident and Safety Investigator Man Ka-chai said on Monday that the incident has been officially classified as an “accident” for further follow-up.
The investigation will examine the aircraft’s systems, maintenance records, flight operations, weather conditions, and runway status to determine the cause of the crash.
Meanwhile, the crime squad of the New Territories South Regional Headquarters is also following up on the case. No arrests have been made so far.
Sources said the four crew members involved have been required by authorities to undergo alcohol testing, with results pending. Police are also assessing their mental state at the time of the incident to decide whether a criminal investigation will be launched. Officials are collecting information for a possible future Coroner’s Court inquest.
