Cargo Plane Runway Deviation Probe Nears Completion; No Mechanical Fault Found
HK01 · 5 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Civil Aviation Accidents Investigation Division released an interim statement on October 13, 2026 regarding the cargo plane accident at Hong Kong International Airport that occurred on October 20, 2025. The investigation team has completed major work, including wreckage recovery and data collection from airlines, weather services, air traffic control, and the airport . Critical aircraft components, including the flight recording systems, have been sent to the manufacturing countries for examination . No mechanical faults related to the accident have been found so far in technical inspections of aircraft parts . The investigation focuses on why the No. 4 engine thrust lever moved forward, causing the aircraft to veer left and deviate from the runway during landing . The final report is expected by the end of 2026 .
Key Points
- The Boeing 747-481 BDSF cargo aircraft, registered TC-ACF and operated by Turkish cargo airline ACT Airlines on behalf of Emirates Skywards Cargo, crashed into the sea after deviating from the north runway at HKIA on October 20, 2025
- Two airport security personnel in a ground security vehicle parked outside the runway area were killed in the incident
- The four crew members were all Turkish nationals, including a 35-year-old captain, a 44-year-old co-pilot, a loadmaster, and an aircraft maintenance engineer
- Investigators are conducting expert spectrogram analysis to determine whether the No. 4 engine thrust lever's forward movement was mechanically driven or caused by external force
- Flight simulation tests will be arranged to reconstruct the runway deviation scenario, and the accident history of aircraft of the same model will be reviewed
Why It Matters
The Transport and Logistics Bureau has required the investigation agency to complete all work by year-end while maintaining rigorous standards, with any evidence of illegal conduct to be immediately referred to law enforcement . Given that the aircraft is registered in Turkey, Hong Kong authorities have maintained close communication with the Turkish Consulate General to coordinate follow-up work and ensure the full implementation of safety recommendations to further strengthen aviation and ground safety standards at HKIA .
The Transport and Logistics Bureau has required the investigation agency to complete all work by year-end while maintaining rigorous standards, with any evidence of illegal conduct to be immediately referred to law enforcement . Given that the aircraft is registered in Turkey, Hong Kong authorities have maintained close communication with the Turkish Consulate General to coordinate follow-up work and ensure the full implementation of safety recommendations to further strengthen aviation and ground safety standards at HKIA .