Cargo plane skids off runway and crashes into sea in Hong Kong - Check shocking images and video

A cargo plane skidded off a runway and plunged into the sea while landing at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday, killing two people, reported AP. The Emirates flight, arriving from Dubai, touched down around 3:50 AM local time when the incident occurred, according to the airport authority.


Four crew members aboard the aircraft were rescued and taken to a hospital. Police said the two fatalities were in an airport ground vehicle struck during the crash.

Emirates confirmed that the Boeing 747 freighter, operating as EK9788, was wet leased and flown by Turkish carrier ACT Airlines. Under the wet lease arrangement, ACT provided the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance. Cargo was on board at the time of the crash.

Local media footage showed the aircraft partially submerged just off the airport’s sea wall. The cockpit and front fuselage remained above water, while the tail section appeared broken off.

The crash took place on the north runway of Hong Kong’s airport, one of Asia’s busiest. That runway was closed temporarily, though the airport’s other two runways continued operations.

Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department said it is investigating the incident in coordination with Emirates, ACT Airlines, and other relevant authorities.