A cargo aircraft operating for Emirates Airlines skidded off a runway into the sea while landing at Hong Kong International Airport on Monday, killing two airport security staff on the ground.
The accident happened about 3.50am Hong Kong time (6.50am AEDT) during challenging weather conditions. The four crew members of the Boeing 747 aircraft, which had taken off in Dubai, were rescued and taken to hospital, according to an Airport Authority Hong Kong statement.
Airport operations executive director Steven Yiu said the plane was landing on Hong Kong’s northern runway when it veered off and “crashed through the fencing”.
A view of the cargo Boeing 747-400 that left the runway while landing in Hong Kong.Credit: AP
“Unfortunately, an airport security patrol car was there at that time,” he told a press conference. “The aircraft collided with the patrol car and pushed the car into the sea.”
The patrol vehicle was outside the airport perimeter fence when it was hit, Yiu said.
A photo posted by AirNavRadar showed the partially submerged aircraft with its rear, including the tail fin, missing.
The aircraft sent no distress signal, and weather and runway conditions were safe, Yiu said.
The northern runway at the airport – one of the busiest in Asia – had temporarily closed pending a safety inspection, Yiu said. The other two runways are operating normally.
