Emirates Flight Veers Through Fence, Killing Two In Airport Vehicle

An Emirates Boeing 747 cargo aircraft skidded off the runway after landing at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG/VHHH), crashed through a perimeter fence and collided with an airport security vehicle, and slid into the sea. Two people in the vehicle were killed and the aircraft ended up partially submerged just offshore.

The four crew members of the aircraft survived in one of the deadliest aviation accidents in recent years at Hong Kong, which is notable for its good safety record.

The flight was Emirates EK9788 arriving from Dubai at about 03:50 local time Monday. The runway was closed as officials are investigating what happened, but the airport’s other two runways remained operational.

Steven Yiu, Executive Director of Airport Operations, said the security vehicle was travelling on the road outside the airport fencing “at a safe distance from the runway.” For some reason, which investigators will focus on, the aircraft turned toward the sea before crashing through the fencing and pushing the vehicle into the water.

Divers located the bodies of the patrol vehicle’s driver and passenger. They were part of the airport’s ground staff, aged 30 and 41, with seven and twelve years’ experience, respectively. They were found under 7 m / 23 ft of water approximately 5 m / 16 ft from the shore.

Yiu said at a news conference several hours after the accident, “Normally the plane is not supposed to turn towards the sea.” He added that there was no distress signal while it was landing. He also said the airport patrol car “definitely did not run out onto the runway.”

An Emirates spokesperson said in a statement to media that the plane "sustained damage on landing in Hong Kong", and added, "Crew are confirmed to be safe and there was no cargo onboard." The weather, runway conditions, and its crew will all be examined by investigators.

FMI:  www.hongkongairport.com/