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On October 20, 2025, at approximately 3:50 a.m. local time, an Emirates SkyCargo Boeing 747-400 (flight EK9788, operated by ACT Airlines) skidded off the north runway at Hong Kong International Airport after landing from Dubai.
The aircraft skidded into the sea, partially submerging, and struck a ground service vehicle (a patrol car), which also fell into the water.
All four crew members were rescued and hospitalized with no serious injuries reported, but the two ground crew members in the vehicle—one aged 30 and the other 41—died.
Initial reports suggest that wet runway conditions due to overnight rain may have contributed to the accident, although the exact cause remains under investigation.
The main tragedy was the loss of two airport ground crew members, who were pronounced dead shortly after the accident, one at the scene and the other en route to the hospital. This highlights the risks to ground crew members during active runway operations. The safe evacuation of the crew highlights the effectiveness of emergency protocols for flight attendants.
Hong Kong International Airport temporarily closed its northern runway (07L), resulting in potential delays to arriving and departing flights. However, the central and southern runways remained operational to mitigate wider disruptions. As a major global hub, this could impact cargo logistics, given the aircraft’s role as a freighter.
The aircraft (registration TC-ACF) was declared a total loss, representing a significant financial impact for Emirates SkyCargo and ACT Airlines.
Cleanup and recovery efforts include fire trucks, rescue boats, and ongoing management of the crash site, which adds short-term costs.
The broader repercussions could include insurance claims and a temporary strain on Hong Kong’s aviation capacity.
The accident raised concerns about runway safety in adverse weather conditions, with poor visibility and aquaplaning cited on social media as possible factors.
No major environmental damage, such as fuel spills, has yet been reported, but partial immersion in the sea could pose minor risks if not addressed promptly.
Given the recent nature of the event (less than 24 hours before October 20, 2025), the consequences are primarily immediate and procedural:
Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department (CAD) and police have launched an investigation into the cause, focusing on the aircraft’s deviation, the collision with the vehicle, and the weather conditions.
Authorities are examining how the ground vehicle ended up in the plane’s path. Emirates has not issued a detailed statement beyond confirming the flight, while airport authorities emphasized the runway closure.
Flights are being rerouted to other runways, minimizing cancellations but potentially causing delays to cargo shipments from Dubai and other destinations.
This could cause short-term disruptions to the supply chain for goods handled by Emirates SkyCargo.
Although not yet formalized, similar incidents typically result in stricter safety protocols, such as stricter runway guidelines or landing restrictions due to weather conditions.
Safety measures are likely to be implemented, and the families of those killed will be prosecuted. No suspension of Boeing 747 operations or Emirates flights has been announced.
As the investigation is in its early stages, no definitive conclusions are available. Preliminary assessments point to a possible combination of wet runway conditions and a collision with the ground vehicle as key factors, rather than a mechanical failure.
Authorities have ruled out unsafe landing conditions prior to the skid, based on initial reports.
The event highlights the ongoing challenges in aviation safety at busy airports during adverse weather conditions, which could influence future global regulations. Updates on the CAD investigation are expected in the coming days or weeks.
