Cargo Plane Plunges into Hong Kong Sea, Killing Two Security Guards

Cargo Plane Plunges into Hong Kong Sea, Killing Two Security Guards

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | October 20, 2025

HONG KONG – Tragedy struck Hong Kong International Airport in the early hours of Monday, October 20, 2025, when a Boeing 747-481 cargo plane, arriving from Dubai as Emirates flight EK9788, veered off the runway and crashed into the sea, claiming the lives of two airport security personnel.

The incident, only the second fatal one in the airport’s history since its 1998 opening, has prompted a full investigation and the closure of the airport’s north runway.

The accident occurred around 03:50 A.M. [local time] as the aircraft, operated by Turkish cargo airline Air ACT under a wet lease agreement with Emirates, was landing.

The 30-year-old Boeing 747, a converted freighter, careened through the airport perimeter fence, colliding with a patrol car stationed outside the runway.

The impact propelled the vehicle into the water, killing the two security guards inside, aged 30 and 41.

“This is a heartbreaking incident,” said a spokesperson for the Hong Kong Airport Authority.

“Our thoughts are with the families of the victims.”

While the two security personnel tragically lost their lives, all four crew members aboard the aircraft were successfully rescued from the wreckage.

The plane, which was not carrying cargo at the time of the accident, broke in half upon impact with the sea.

Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the crash, leaving open the possibility of criminal charges.

Investigators are currently searching the waters for the aircraft’s “black boxes” – the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder – which are crucial to understanding the sequence of events leading to the crash.

“We are examining all potential factors, including mechanical failure, pilot error, and any other contributing circumstances,” stated a lead investigator.

Key details emerging from the investigation include:

Weather Conditions:

• Hong Kong officials confirmed that weather conditions were clear at the time of the incident, and the plane received standard landing instructions.

No Distress Signal:

• The aircraft did not issue any distress calls prior to landing.

Runway Closure:

• The airport’s north runway remains closed pending a thorough safety assessment.

The incident marks a somber moment for Hong Kong International Airport, the world’s busiest cargo hub, which handled 4.9 million metric tons of air cargo in 2024.

The previous fatal incident occurred in 1999 when three people died in a China Airlines plane crash during a typhoon.

Airport authorities have emphasized that they believe the airport was not at fault and that correct instructions were provided to the aircraft.

They are currently working with the airline and the aircraft’s owner to coordinate the removal of the wreckage.

The investigation remains ongoing, and further updates will be provided as they become available.

The focus now is on understanding what caused the accident and ensuring the safety of all personnel operating at Hong Kong International Airport.