Boeing 747 Cargo Plane Crashes Into Sea at Hong Kong Airport

A Boeing 747 cargo plane flying from Dubai to Hong Kong skidded off the runway early Monday morning, crashing into the sea and killing two people, officials confirmed. The cargo aircraft, operated by Turkish carrier ACT Airlines and temporarily leased by Emirates, was attempting to land at Hong Kong International Airport at around 4 am when the accident occurred. Airport authorities said the plane collided with a security vehicle outside the fence before veering into the sea. Fortunately, the aircraft carried no cargo, and the crew onboard were confirmed safe.

The accident at Hong Kong International Airport, the world’s busiest cargo hub, sent shockwaves through the aviation community. Video footage from the scene showed the Boeing 747’s fuselage cracked and partly submerged in water, with its tail section torn off and emergency slides deployed. Rescue teams retrieved the two victims from the submerged security vehicle, a 30-year-old man who died on the spot and a 41-year-old man who passed away at the hospital. Airport authorities confirmed that the patrol car was outside the fence and had no business being on the runway.

Officials reported that the cargo plane’s north runway, part of an $18 billion expansion completed last year, was temporarily closed following the crash. The other two runways at the airport remained operational. According to Airport Authority Hong Kong, the plane abruptly turned left halfway along the runway and did not respond to radio calls. Authorities have launched a full investigation into the crash, including recovering the aircraft’s black box to determine the cause.

The Boeing 747 crash highlights the risks associated with high-traffic cargo airports. Hong Kong International Airport handled 4.9 million tonnes of cargo in 2024, ranking it as the world’s busiest cargo airport according to Airports Council International. Aviation experts say that runway safety, monitoring systems, and coordination between aircraft and ground vehicles are critical to preventing such tragic incidents.

The investigation will focus on the Boeing 747 cargo plane’s landing approach, mechanical condition, and communication with airport control. Emirates Airlines confirmed the crew’s safety, while airport officials emphasized the importance of reviewing operational procedures on the newly opened north runway. This incident marks one of the most serious accidents in Hong Kong International Airport’s history since its opening in 1998.

Rescue and recovery operations continue, as authorities work to secure the Boeing 747 wreckage and gather evidence. The aviation community worldwide is closely monitoring updates on the investigation to understand how a routine cargo flight from Dubai ended in a deadly runway accident at one of the globe’s busiest cargo airports.