The preliminary report for this accident was released today, I believe this is all the important parts.
https://www.tlb.gov.hk/aaia/doc/PLR-2025-04_Eng.pdf
***Synopsis***
- At approximately 03:52 hours on 20 October 2025, an ACT Airlines (Air ACT) Boeing 747-481 BDSF freighter aircraft operated on behalf of Emirates SkyCargo (flight no. UAE9788) landed on Runway 07L at Hong Kong International Airport. The co-pilot was the Pilot Flying and the captain was the Pilot Monitoring.
- After landing and when the aircraft was decelerating, an AUTOBRAKES message appeared in the Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) display in the cockpit. The captain took over the control of the aircraft from the co-pilot.
- The aircraft veered off to the left, resulting in a runway excursion abeam Taxiway C6.
- The aircraft subsequently collided with a stationary security ground vehicle road. The impact resulted in the ground vehicle entering the sea. sea where it came to rest.
- In the course of the runway excursion, the aircraft destroyed various airport meteorological sensor arrays, signage, the ground vehicle and a section of the perimeter fence.
- The aircraft was destroyed. The tail section separated from the aircraft during the impact sequence.
- All four crew members survived the accident. The two security staff in the ground vehicle perished.
- At the time of the accident, the weather conditions were suitable for aircraft operation. Visibility was good, which was 10 km or more. All relevant communications, navigation and surveillance and air traffic control equipment/facilities were serviceable and operating normally.
- Prior to the accident, there was no report of foreign objects on the runway, and communication between Air Traffic Control and the accident aircraft was normal.
- The Runway 07L and the associated directional signage system has been in operational use since commissioning of the New North Runway (07L/25R) in November 2022. On the day of the accident, there was no report of damage to such signage system prior to the accident.
To date, on the evidence available the AAIA has established:
The aircraft was dispatched with Minimum Equipment List 1 (MEL) items which included;
- A Hydraulic System 1 Reservoir cockpit indication issue resolved by maintenance staff prior to the first departure of a flight day.,
- Number 4 engine thrust reverser inoperative.
- After departure, the evidence available is consistent with a normal flight up to the runway excursion.
- An Autobrake 2 and Flap 25 landing was planned.
- After completing a transition to the Instrument Landing System (ILS)2 of Runway (RWY) 07L, the aircraft was cleared to land by Air Traffic Control (ATC).
- ATC also advised that the wind direction was 030 degrees 18 knots and instructed the crew that after landing to keep their speed up until vacating the runway.
- The crew read back the landing clearance indicating that they would try their best.
- After touchdown the Speed Brake Lever extended with the appropriate crew call.
- Reverse thrust of approximately 95% N1 was selected on Number 2 and Number 3 engines with Number 1 engine selected to idle reverse An AUTOBRAKES message appeared in the EICAS display.
- An AUTOBRAKES message appeared in the EICAS display.
- The Autobrake disarmed and a crew call "Manual Braking" was made.
- The captain took control of the aircraft.
Subsequently, the following data is observed from the Flight Data Recorder:
- Number 4 engine accelerated to 90% N1 forward thrust at 03:52:30 hours.
- All selected thrust reversers were stowed at 03:52:35 hours. Number 4 engine continued to accelerate to approximately 106% N1 forward thrust at 03:52:36 hours and ended up at 107% N1 at 03:52:42 hours.
- Reverse thrust of approximately 92% N1 was again selected on Number 2 engine at 03:52:41 hours. Number 1 and Number 3 engine thrust reversers were also deployed reaching reverse thrust of approximately 83% N1 and 91% N1 respectively. Those thrust reverser selections occurred after the aircraft had veered off the runway.
Examination of the flight deck showed that:
- The Autobrake selector was indicating Disarmed.
- The Speed Brake lever was in the Flight Detent position.
- Number 1, 2 and 3 engine thrust levers were closed with reverse thrust levers selected to maximum.
- The Number 4 engine thrust lever was in the full forward thrust position. Number 4 engine reverse thrust lever was fully forward.
- The Fuel Control Switches were selected to Run.
