The Turkish-operated cargo plane that skidded off the runway at Hong Kong's international airport last month (20 October), killing two airport workers, experienced an acceleration in one of its four engines after landing, an initial investigation has found.
A preliminary report from Hong Kong's Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) released late on Tuesday said the flight from Dubai, operated by ACT Airlines on behalf of Emirates, was normal until shortly after landing.
The Boeing 747 cargo plane had been dispatched with the thrust reverser on engine 4 not working, which was allowable under aviation rules, the report said.
Thrust reversers redirect the engine thrust forward after landing to help slow the aircraft.
After the plane, being flown by the first officer, touched down on the runway, its automatic braking system disengaged and the captain took control, investigators said.
Shortly afterward, engine 4, on the far right side of the plane, accelerated to 90% thrust before surging to 106% to 107% over 12 seconds.
Thrust reversers were activated on the other three engines after the plane veered left off the runway. It struck a security vehicle, pushing it into the sea and killing the two airport workers inside.
It was the deadliest airport incident in the financial hub in more than 25 years.
All four crew on board survived but the plane was destroyed, with the tail section separating on impact, the report said.
Steven Dominique Cheung, chairman of the Hong Kong Professional Airline Pilots Association, said it was highly unusual for a plane to accelerate after landing.
With the right side engine at full power and other engines trying to slow the plane, there is "no way you can maintain control," he said.
Boeing referred questions to the AAIA. Emirates and ACT Airlines did not immediately comment.
The cause of the crash still needs to be determined by a full investigation. AAIA said it was collecting further data including technical issues related to the aircraft's systems, engineering issues, maintenance records and flight crew qualifications.
Hong Kong's Transport and Logistics Bureau said on its Facebook page it aimed to release a final report within a year, which is in line with international standards.
The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was reportedly attacked near...
The United Nations' top human rights official has called for independent investigations into deaths in U.S. immigration detention facilities, citing a...
Tens of thousands of people are still unaccounted for after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. At least 589 people have been confirmed dead a...
An aircraft roughly the size of a car crashed into Beijing's tallest skyscraper on Friday evening, triggering a major emergency response and a heavy p...
Montenegrin police, working alongside the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation, have arrested an Iranian national accused of carrying out a ...
The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was reportedly attacked near Oman, with two U.S. officials accusing Iran of the attack.
The United Nations' top human rights official has called for independent investigations into deaths in U.S. immigration detention facilities, citing a rise in fatalities among people held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Tens of thousands of people are still unaccounted for after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. At least 589 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds are believed to be trapped under rubble, as emergency crews and international rescue teams race to respond.
An aircraft roughly the size of a car crashed into Beijing's tallest skyscraper on Friday evening, triggering a major emergency response and a heavy police presence as authorities sealed off the area and gave no immediate explanation for the incident.
An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck Japan's northeast coast on Thursday, but no tsunami warning was issued, no injuries were immediately reported and no irregularities were found at nuclear facilities, the authorities said.
As Western Europe battles a deadly heatwave that has shattered temperature records, disrupted transport and power supplies, and forced the closure of schools and cultural landmarks, attention is turning to whether El Niño is playing a role in the extreme conditions.
The U.S. Senate rejected a resolution on Wednesday that would have directed President Donald Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress formally authorised military action.
The Kremlin has denied a Wall Street Journal report claiming Moscow is pressuring Belarus to support an expanded Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
Tens of thousands of people are still unaccounted for after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. At least 589 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds are believed to be trapped under rubble, as emergency crews and international rescue teams race to respond.
The United Nations' top human rights official has called for independent investigations into deaths in U.S. immigration detention facilities, citing a rise in fatalities among people held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
An aircraft roughly the size of a car crashed into Beijing's tallest skyscraper on Friday evening, triggering a major emergency response and a heavy police presence as authorities sealed off the area and gave no immediate explanation for the incident.
Montenegrin police, working alongside the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation, have arrested an Iranian national accused of carrying out a series of cyberattacks that allegedly caused an estimated $3.4 billion in damage to U.S. infrastructure.
South Korea is set to dramatically expand its unmanned warfare capabilities, with plans to integrate drones across all branches of its military as tensions with North Korea continue to shape the country's defence strategy.
Fertiliser shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have begun to recover following an interim U.S.–Iran agreement aimed at stabilising the waterway after months of disruption during conflict, industry data shows.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment