Hong Kong Cargo Plane Tragedy Sparks Safety Concerns

Serious Accident in Hong Kong: Cargo Plane Skids Off Runway, Two Fatalities

A rare but serious aviation accident occurred early Monday morning at Hong Kong International Airport when a cargo plane arriving from Dubai skidded off the runway during landing and slid into the sea. As a result of the accident, two ground personnel lost their lives, raising significant questions regarding aviation safety, operational responsibility, and the use of aircraft that may be considered retired due to age.

Details of the Accident

The operator of Hong Kong International Airport confirmed the incident occurred at 3:50 AM local time on Monday. The plane, operating as an Emirates SkyCargo flight (EK9788), was managed by Turkish ACT Airlines and was a Boeing 747 cargo plane. According to FlightRadar24 data, the affected aircraft was 32 years old and initially operated as a passenger aircraft before it was converted for freight use.

After the landing, the plane veered off the north runway and drifted into the adjacent sea section. Images from the accident scene clearly show the front and tail sections of the plane separated, part of the fuselage lying in the water, with the emergency slide deployed.

Four Crew Members Survived, Two Ground Employees Perished

There were four crew members on the aircraft, all of whom were successfully rescued and are in stable condition. According to an official statement from Emirates, there was no cargo on board. However, the tragedy still claimed victims: according to the South China Morning Post, two ground employees in a vehicle near the runway were thrown into the sea during the collision and lost their lives.

The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (CAD) confirmed that the accident was immediately reported to the City Aviation Accident Investigation Authority, which has initiated an investigation. The CAD stated that all available support would be provided for the investigation.

Possible Underlying Causes?

Although the investigation is still in its early stages, initial information suggests that the weather was not a significant factor since the airport operator stated the incident does not affect the airport's daily traffic. This implies that weather conditions were acceptable, and other factors such as technical failure, pilot error, or potentially the runway condition could have complicated the plane's landing.

FlightRadar24 highlighted that the involved Boeing 747 was nearly 32 years old – a not uncommon age in the cargo aircraft world, as many airlines use such planes longer, especially if they started as passenger aircraft and were converted to cargo. However, in such cases, regular maintenance and strict safety inspections are of paramount importance.

Wet Leasing and Responsibility Issues

The accident draws particular attention to the wet lease practice, wherein one airline uses another operator for the aircraft and crew, maintenance, and insurance. In this case, Emirates SkyCargo's flight was operated by Turkish ACT Airlines. This model allows for flexible capacity expansion but complicates liability, especially in cases of accidents. Authorities now need to clarify exactly where operational and safety responsibilities lay among the parties involved.

What Happens Next?

Hong Kong authorities have already begun on-site investigations and data collection. The aircraft's flight data recorder (black box) has likely already been retrieved, which will play a crucial role in the investigation. The goal is to determine why the plane veered off the runway and what chain of events led to the accident. While the investigation's results could take months, initial findings may be expected in the coming weeks.

The airport authority stated that the accident does not affect daily flight operations, so passenger traffic continues unhindered. However, the management of cargo traffic and runway condition assessment is a priority.

Lessons and Trust Issues

This tragic event highlights that severe incidents can occur even at airports with the most modern infrastructure, particularly with large, often aging cargo planes. The public rightly expects a thorough and transparent investigation, along with measures to prevent similar cases in the future.

Air travel remains one of the world's safest forms of transportation, but each accident serves as a reminder that safety is not a static state but a continuous effort. Whether it's technical maintenance, trained personnel, or well-coordinated operational practice – every link in the chain matters.

The tragedy of the flight departing from Dubai has not only claimed human lives but also initiated another dialogue about the boundaries of aviation safety. The upcoming months' investigations may provide answers, but one thing is certain: we can only truly honor the victims' memories by learning from the mistakes.

(The article's source is a statement from the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (CAD).)