Hong Kong international airport’s operator has confirmed that two security personnel in a patrol vehicle did not survive after it was struck by a Boeing 747-400 freighter during a runway excursion.
The vehicle – a patrol car from the airport security firm – had been carrying out duties on the perimeter road outside of the runway zone, says Airport Authority Hong Kong.
As the Turkish AirACT aircraft, operating a cargo flight for Emirates, arrived from Dubai’s Al-Maktoum airport at 03:53 on 20 October it veered off runway 07L, crashed through the fence and came to rest in the sea.
“The patrol car fell into the waters after being hit by the aircraft,” says the authority.
It says the security staff were conducting a watch at a designated observation post at the time.
While the four crew members of the 747 were rescued by firefighting personnel, the two occupants of the patrol cargo – which was located underwater – did not survive.
Airport Authority Hong Kong says that flight operations are “unaffected” because, although runway 07L/25R is closed, the central and southern runways remain open.
Circumstances of the accident have yet to be determined.
“Weather and operational conditions at the time of the incident met the safety standards when the aircraft landed, according to information available,” says the airport authority.
Safety assessments will be conducted before a decision is made on re-opening the affected runway.
