Two Hong Kong airport security personnel were killed when a cargo plane went off the runway, crashed into their patrol vehicle, and then plunged into the sea. The Emirates flight, which was landing from Dubai, veered off the runway at around 3:50 local time on Monday and came to rest in the water with part of its fuselage submerged.
The two security personnel, aged 30 and 41, were members of a patrol team that was on duty outside the perimeter fencing when the plane went down. Their bodies were recovered by divers who found them five meters from shore and seven meters underwater.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, with officials saying they are still trying to locate the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, also known as the "black boxes". The plane was a Boeing 747-481 cargo aircraft that had been wet leased from Turkish carrier Act Airlines. Only one other person on board the plane, the pilot, survived.
Airport operations executive director Steven Yiu said the patrol car was travelling at a safe distance from the runway when it came into contact with the plane, which then crashed through the perimeter fencing and collided with the vehicle, pushing it into the sea. He also stressed that there were signs on the runway to guide aircraft and that airport staff had given the correct instructions to the plane.
The incident has raised questions about how such a serious error could occur at one of the world's busiest airports, which has a good safety record. The affected runway will remain closed for the rest of the day, but the airport's other two runways are operational. At least 11 cargo flights initially scheduled to arrive at Hong Kong International Airport on Monday have been cancelled.
This incident is the second deadliest aviation accident at the airport since it moved from Kai Tak to Chek Lap Kok in July 1998. In August 1999, a China Airlines passenger flight crash-landed during a typhoon, killing three.
The two security personnel, aged 30 and 41, were members of a patrol team that was on duty outside the perimeter fencing when the plane went down. Their bodies were recovered by divers who found them five meters from shore and seven meters underwater.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, with officials saying they are still trying to locate the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, also known as the "black boxes". The plane was a Boeing 747-481 cargo aircraft that had been wet leased from Turkish carrier Act Airlines. Only one other person on board the plane, the pilot, survived.
Airport operations executive director Steven Yiu said the patrol car was travelling at a safe distance from the runway when it came into contact with the plane, which then crashed through the perimeter fencing and collided with the vehicle, pushing it into the sea. He also stressed that there were signs on the runway to guide aircraft and that airport staff had given the correct instructions to the plane.
The incident has raised questions about how such a serious error could occur at one of the world's busiest airports, which has a good safety record. The affected runway will remain closed for the rest of the day, but the airport's other two runways are operational. At least 11 cargo flights initially scheduled to arrive at Hong Kong International Airport on Monday have been cancelled.
This incident is the second deadliest aviation accident at the airport since it moved from Kai Tak to Chek Lap Kok in July 1998. In August 1999, a China Airlines passenger flight crash-landed during a typhoon, killing three.
... it's just so sadistic and senseless. The fact that the pilot survived but those two didn't is just not right. I mean what even is going through a pilot's head when they're flying, especially on an emergency landing where attention to detail matters like nothing else? 
It's just so frustrating to think that airport staff gave them correct instructions but I guess it wasn't enough. And those 11 cancelled flights, what a nightmare for everyone involved.
. Anyway, I hope the investigation finds out what went wrong and that those two security guards' families get the support they need 
... i mean what were they thinking? cargo plane coming at full speed and just veering off the runway like it's no big deal... it's crazy that two people lost their lives 
. i guess we'll just have to wait for the investigation to find out what really went down... hopefully they can figure it out quickly so something like this doesn't happen again 
. anyway, i'm glad that pilot on board made it out alive 
, but still, my heart goes out to the families of those two security personnel 
A cargo plane crashing into two airport security guards is just insane. I mean, can you even imagine being that close to the runway and suddenly your car gets hit by a massive plane? 
Anyway, my condolences to those two security guards who lost their lives... it's just so senseless. 
And now the runway is closed for the rest of the day, which will cause even more problems for the flights that were initially scheduled to arrive. 
️ It's just one of those things where you wonder how this could happen in the first place. 
11 flights cancelled already, can you imagine the ripple effect on cargo supply chains? 
It's not just about the aviation industry or the safety record of the airport, it's also about how this affects people's livelihoods. 
. And can we talk about how many flights got cancelled? I feel bad for all those people who were supposed to arrive today... anyhoo, fingers crossed they find out what went wrong and make sure it never happens again 
guess what? my cat decided to sleep through the whole thing and only woke up for treats 
anyway, back to this plane... can u believe it went off the runway while landing from dubai?! that's like, whoa 
airport safety is supposed to be super strict, but i guess even the best laid plans can go wrong 
and btw, have you seen those new avengers movies? i'm seriously considering buying a ticket to see it this weekend 
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at least they're trying to locate the black boxes, but I feel so much uncertainty about this whole thing 
. Either way, I hope they get to the bottom of it and make sure this doesn't happen again 
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and pls send some positive vibes to the ppl affected by this crash 
...and what's with all these "black boxes" they're still trying to find? come on guys, get it together! 
the thing is, airport staff did give instructions to the plane, and there were signs on the runway...but maybe they didn't take them seriously enough? idk, i'm not saying anyone's at fault, but it's just weird that this happened in the first place