An ACT Airlines Boeing 747 freighter has suffered serious damage following a runway excursion on landing at Hong Kong on 20 October 2025.
ACT Airlines flight EK9788, operated by a Boeing 747-400BDSF freighter, was conducting an arrival to runway 07L Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).
ACT Airlines EK9788 Dubai-Hong Kong
The flight was a scheduled service inbound from Dubai World Central International Airport (DWG).
During the landing roll, the aircraft veered off the left-hand side of runway 07L. The aircraft broke through a sea wall before coming to rest partially submerged.
The rear fuselage and tail assembly of the aircraft was torn away during the runway excursion event.
Early reports suggest that two people are currently reported to be missing. Reports say that the aircraft struck a ground vehicle during the runway excursion event.
It is uncertain how many occupants were aboard the flight at the time of landing. No further confirmation of injuries or fatalities has yet been reported.
Flight & Aircraft Data
Flight data shows that flight AK9788 had departed from Dubai world Central International Airport at 4:59 PM local time on 19 October.
The flight had then proceeded normally, and the aircraft was cleared for an approach to runway 07L on arrival at Hong Kong International Airport.
Weather at the time of the aircraft arrival shows a wind speed of 4 kn with gusts of up to 21 kn, with no significant adverse weather forecast.
The aircraft conducting the AK9788 service from Dubai was a Boeing 747-400 BDSF, registered TC-ACF. This is a 32.4 year old converted freighter belonging to the carrier ACT Airlines.
It has been in operational service with the airline since August 2020. The aircraft was originally operated by all Nippon Airways from June 1993 until January 2011. Since then, it has passed through the hands of several operators.
The aircraft will be deemed damaged beyond repair following today’s runway excursion accident in Hong Kong.
Update 23:00 UTC
Reports says that one of the two men in the ground services vehicle struck by the aircraft has been confirmed dead. Police say that the other occupant of the vehicle has been referred to North Lantau Hospital. His status is presently unknown.
All four flight crew members from the crashed aircraft have escaped unharmed.
Update 04:00 UTC
Following a press conference, authorities confirmed two people are dead following the landing accident at Hong Kong International Airport.
Two airport security personnel, aged 30 and 41, have been confirmed deceased after their patrol car was struck and pushed into the sea by the freighter aircraft.
The Boeing 747 freighter had veered off the left-hand edge the runway and crashed through the sea wall, colliding with the patrol car.
The rear fuselage and tailplane assembly broke from the aircraft, and the four crew members escaped via a forward door before being rescued from the sea.