A cargo plane deviated from the runway, killing two airport security personnel. Hong Kong announced the progress of the investigation

China News Service, Hong Kong, October 13. The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Accident Investigation Agency issued an interim statement of investigation No. ITR-2026-09 on the 13th regarding an accident involving an ACT Airlines (operating on behalf of Emirates Air Cargo) Boeing 747-481 BDSF freighter (registration mark TC-ACF) that deviated from the runway at Hong Kong International Airport on October 20, 2025, resulting in the death of two airport security personnel in a ground airport security vehicle parked outside the runway.

The investigation team has completed the main investigation work, one of which focused on the fact that the thrust rod of the fourth engine moved forward, causing the aircraft to deflect to the left and deviate from the runway during the landing taxi. So far, no accident-related mechanical failures have been found in the technical inspection of relevant aircraft components.

The investigation is ongoing and includes expert sound spectrum analysis to determine whether the advancement of the thrust rods of engine 4 was mechanically driven or caused by external forces. The investigation team will also arrange to conduct flight simulation tests to reconstruct the circumstances of the aircraft's deviation from the runway that day and review the accident history of aircraft of the same type.

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Accident Investigation Agency stated that after the accident, the Civil Aviation Accident Investigation Agency immediately inspected and surveyed the accident scene; met with the crew of the aircraft involved; collected evidence such as flight documents, flight data, and cockpit recordings; and arranged to salvage the aircraft wreckage as soon as possible and retrieve important aircraft parts such as the flight data recorder, and issued a preliminary investigation report and announcement No. PLR-2025-04 on November 18 last year.

The Transport and Logistics Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has expressed great concern about the temporary statement and has asked the civil aviation accident investigation agency to make full progress while ensuring that the investigation is rigorous and professional, with the goal of completing all investigation work before the end of 2026. Since the cargo plane involved was registered from Turkey, the Transport and Logistics Bureau has been maintaining close communication with the Turkish Consulate General in Hong Kong to exchange information on the follow-up to the accident and investigation and coordination. Turkey has also been fully cooperating and assisting.