Cargo plane engine accelerated before fatal Hong Kong crash, investigators say

A preliminary investigation into the fatal Hong Kong airport crash involving a Turkish-operated Boeing 747 cargo plane, operating on behalf of Emirates, reveals a critical malfunction. The report, issued by Hong Kong's Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA), indicates that one of the aircraft's four engines surged to 106-107% thrust after landing, despite the activation of thrust reversers on the other three engines. The aircraft, arriving from Dubai, had a non-operational thrust reverser on engine 4, a condition permitted under existing aviation regulations.

Following touchdown, the automatic braking system disengaged, and the captain assumed control. Shortly after, the anomaly occurred with engine 4, causing the plane to veer sharply left off the runway. The aircraft collided with a security vehicle, resulting in the deaths of two airport workers. All four crew members survived, but the aircraft was destroyed in the incident, marking the deadliest event at the airport in over 25 years.

Steven Dominique Cheung, chairman of the Hong Kong Professional Airline Pilots Association, characterized the engine acceleration post-landing as highly unusual, emphasizing the difficulty in maintaining control under such circumstances. The AAIA is conducting a comprehensive investigation, gathering data on technical issues, engineering aspects, maintenance records, and flight crew qualifications to determine the definitive cause of the crash.

The investigation aims to release a final report within a year, adhering to international standards, according to Hong Kong's Transport and Logistics Bureau. The focus remains on understanding the sequence of events that led to the engine malfunction and the subsequent loss of control, with Boeing deferring queries to the AAIA and Emirates and ACT Airlines not immediately responding to requests for comment.