October 30, 2025
by Matte Jayferson M. Manon-og
A cargo Boeing 747 freighter operated by Turkish carrier ACT Airlines on behalf of Emirates SkyCargo veered off the runway at Hong Kong International Airport and plunged into the sea during landing in the early hours of October 20, 2025, resulting in the death of two airport security personnel. The accident has sparked scrutiny of ACT Airlines’ safety practices and operational standards amid concerns over the airline’s past accident history.
At approximately 3:53 am local time, Emirates Flight EK9788, operated under a wet lease by ACT Airlines from Dubai to Hong Kong, experienced a runway excursion as it touched down on Runway 07L. The Boeing 747-400 freighter skidded to the left after landing, collided with a security patrol vehicle on the perimeter road, broke through the airport fence, and came to rest partially submerged and split in half in the adjacent waters. All four crew members aboard the aircraft survived with no reported injuries and were later rescued by first responders. However, the two airport security personnel inside the patrol vehicle, which was struck by the aircraft, performing routine monitoring duties just outside of the active runway, tragically perished in the incident.
Officials from the Hong Kong Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) have launched an investigation into the accident. Their preliminary report indicates that shortly after touchdown, one of the aircraft’s engines began to accelerate unexpectedly. This abnormal surge, occurring even as the other engines applied thrust reversers to decelerate the aircraft, may have contributed to the loss of directional control that ultimately led to the runway excursion.
At the time of the crash, the weather and runway conditions were reportedly within normal operational parameters, with no significant adverse conditions reported that would have hindered landing procedures. Communication between air traffic control and flight crew was also reported to be standard throughout the approach and landing. Authorities have stated that a full determination of causation will require further analysis of flight data and the cockpit voice recorder, with a comprehensive report expected within the next year. Likewise, Emirates and ACT Airlines have pledged cooperation with the authorities.
Beyond the October runway excursion in Hong Kong, ACT Airlines has previously figured in several reported incidents that, while largely non-fatal, have drawn attention to recurring mechanical and technical concerns within its operations. In April 2022, an ACT Airlines Boeing 747-400F operating a cargo flight from Istanbul to Leipzig returned to its departure airport shortly after takeoff due to abnormal engine performance indications, while in September 2020, another Boeing 747 freighter bound for Frankfurt declared an emergency after a landing gear indication fault was traced to a defective sensor. Although these incidents did not result in injuries or aircraft hull losses, experts stated that the airline needs to adhere to industry operational safety standards.
While aviation remains one of the safest modes of transport globally, accidents such as the Hong Kong runway excursion serve as a reminder of the constant vigilance required from airlines, regulators, and international bodies alike. Current data shows that accident rates in commercial aviation have generally declined over the past decade, a testament to ongoing safety improvements industry-wide.