ACT Airlines 747 Cargo Jet Crashes into Sea at Hong Kong

In the early hours of 20 October 2025, a cargo flight from Dubai to Hong Kong ended in tragedy when the aircraft veered off the runway during landing and crashed into the sea (runway excursion). The flight, operated for Emirates SkyCargo by Turkish-based ACT Airlines (wet-lease), was performed by a Boeing 747‑400 freighter (registration TC-ACF). The aircraft came to rest partially submerged after colliding with a security patrol vehicle outside the runway perimeter. Two airport ground staff inside the vehicle were killed; the four crew on board survived.

Flight & Aircraft Details

• Flight number: EK9788 / UAE9788 (from Dubai Al Maktoum to Hong Kong)
• Operator: ACT Airlines for Emirates SkyCargo (wet lease)
• Aircraft type: Boeing 747-481BDSF freighter version (converted from passenger use)
• Registration: TC-ACF
• Origin / Destination: Dubai (Al Maktoum) → Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
• Departure time / Accident time: The accident occurred at about 03:50 local time (HKT) on 20 October 2025.
• Cargo status: There was no cargo onboard at the time of the accident.

Accident Sequence

According to official statements and media reports:

• The aircraft landed on the north runway of Hong Kong International Airport (07L/25R).
• During rollout (after touchdown) the aircraft veered left / off the paved surface, passed through the perimeter fence and entered shallow sea water just outside the airport enclosure.
• In doing so, it collided with a patrol vehicle travelling on the perimeter road outside the fence. The vehicle was dragged into the water.
• The two occupants (ground crew) of that vehicle died: one on scene, the other after hospital transfer. The four aircraft crew escaped and were transported to hospital.
• No emergency radio call (e.g., mayday) from the aircraft was recorded; at least one official noted the aircraft “gave no reply” to ATC and did not issue a distress call.

Conditions and Operational Impact

• Authorities confirmed that weather and runway conditions at the time were suitable for operations.
• Following the event, the north runway was temporarily closed (or placed on standby) for inspection and recovery operations. The two other parallel runways remained operational.
• The aircraft’s fuselage fractured (tail section reportedly separated) and came to rest in shallow sea water. Rescue divers and over 200 emergency personnel took part in the operation.
• The airport operator noted that clearing wreckage from the water would be delayed by the impending tropical storm (Typhoon Fengshen) and required barge/crane operations.

Investigation Status

The investigation is being led by Hong Kong’s aviation authorities. Key points include:

• The aircraft’s Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) have not yet been recovered from the seabed as of the latest updates.
• Investigators will examine multiple factors: aircraft systems (brakes/flares/spoilers/reversers), pilot/crew performance (approach/rollout control), ground vehicle/loss of separation procedures, and environmental/pavement conditions.
• A preliminary report is expected to be released “within about one month”, though a full final report will take longer.

Possible Contributory Factors

While no cause has been officially determined (21.10.2025), early commentary and expert input suggest several potential contributing factors:

• Roll-out control/trajectory: A large aircraft like the 747 has significant kinetic energy on landing. A veer off the paved surface suggests either loss of directional control or insufficient deceleration.
• Brakes / spoilers / thrust reversers: Any failure or delayed deployment of deceleration systems could result in over-run or excursion.
• Pilot/crew performance: On-landing configuration, speed control, and aircraft automation management are all under scrutiny.
• Ground/vehicle interface: Even though the vehicle was outside the runway perimeter, the collision indicates that the excursion path breached the protected zone, raising questions about perimeter safety margins.
• Pavement / runway environment: Although reported suitable, subtle factors (e.g., crosswind gusts, micro-slopes, tyre braking friction) may still play a role.
• Age / conversion of aircraft: The aircraft (delivered 1993) underwent passenger-to-freighter conversion, which adds further layers to maintenance/structural review.

Significance & Context

• The incident represents the deadliest aviation accident at Hong Kong International Airport in over 25 years, involving ground fatalities and a major aircraft hull loss.
• Hong Kong remains one of the world’s busiest cargo hubs; disruption even of one runway can have global cargo-chain implications.
• The operator, ACT Airlines, previously suffered a fatal accident in 2017; this raises additional scrutiny on fleet oversight and operational controls in the cargo sector.

What Happens Now

1. Recovery of FDR/CVR and wreckage salvage from the sea floor.
2. Detailed engineering inspection of the aircraft’s landing gear/floor/tail structure.
3. Review of airport perimeter procedures and ground-vehicle positioning relative to runway safety zones.
4. A formal preliminary investigation report, followed by a final report (typically within 12 – 24 months).
5. Implementation of any recommended safety improvements (at the airline, airport or regulatory level) once causes are established.

Conclusion

The landing excursion of the Boeing 747-400 freighter operated by ACT Airlines for Emirates SkyCargo at Hong Kong on 20 October 2025 resulted in a tragic loss of two airport ground staff and a major hull-loss incident. Although weather and runway conditions were reportedly normal, the veer off runway, collision with a patrol vehicle and entry into the sea highlight a complex accident scenario. Until flight data and cockpit voice recorders are recovered and analysed, the definitive cause remains under investigation. The wider implications for cargo operations, airport surface vehicle management and runway safety zones will be closely watched in the upcoming report.

References and Further Reading:

• The Guardian: “Hong Kong: two killed after cargo plane veers off runway into sea while landing”. Guardian
• Associated Press: “Hong Kong prepares to reopen a runway after crash though it won’t be used regularly for now”. AP News
• Business Insider: “2 people died after a cargo plane skidded off the runway and hit a car at Hong Kong’s airport”. Business Insider
• South China Morning Post: “2 dead after Emirates cargo plane veers off Hong Kong runway into sea”. scmp.com
• Wikipedia article on Emirates SkyCargo Flight 9788. Vikipedi