Salvage operations at Hong Kong International Airport reached a key milestone Saturday morning as teams hoisted the submerged patrol vehicle struck by a crashed cargo plane, marking the near completion of recovery efforts following the October 20 incident that claimed two lives.
The patrol vehicle, operated by the Airport Authority and carrying two security guards who perished in the collision, was lifted from the sea at around 9am today.
This follows the retrieval of the cargo plane’s tail section and critical flight recorders yesterday night.
The Emirates Boeing 747-400, arriving from Dubai, veered off the North Runway after landing, hit the patrol vehicle, and plunged into the water, prompting a multi-day salvage mission.
The Guangzhou Salvage Bureau deployed two specialized ships, Nan Tian Xiang and Nan Tian Peng, arriving on October 23 and 24, respectively.
Earlly yesterday morning, the vessels approached the wreckage site, where workers in reflective gear monitored from the shore as cranes lifted suspected engine parts and other debris.
By 4.30pm yesterday, the deck of Nan Tian Xiang was loaded with substantial aircraft remnants.
The operation culminated in the evening lift of the tail section at 10.41pm, placed on a barge and handed over to the Air Accident Investigation Authority.
During daylight hours, salvage crews also recovered one of the plane’s engines and its landing gear.
The Air Accident Investigation Authority confirmed the black boxes—flight data and cockpit voice recorders—showed signs of water ingress but were promptly sent to a laboratory for preliminary examination.
A preliminary report is anticipated within a month.
With the patrol vehicle now recovered, the salvage operations is expected to conclude soon.
