HONG KONG: The Turkish-operated cargo airplane that skidded off the runway at Hong Kong’s international airport final month, killing two airport workers, skilled an acceleration in considered one of its 4 engines after touchdown, an preliminary investigation has discovered.
A preliminary report from Hong Kong’s Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) launched late on Tuesday (Nov 18) mentioned the flight from Dubai, operated by ACT Airways on behalf of Emirates, was regular till shortly after touchdown.
The Boeing 747 cargo airplane had been dispatched with the thrust reverser on engine 4 not working, which was allowable beneath aviation guidelines, the report mentioned.
Thrust reversers redirect the engine thrust ahead after touchdown to assist sluggish the plane.
After the airplane, being flown by the primary officer, touched down on the runway, its automated braking system disengaged and the captain took management, investigators mentioned.
Shortly afterward, engine 4, on the far proper aspect of the airplane, accelerated to 90 per cent thrust earlier than surging to 106 per cent to 107 per cent over 12 seconds.
Thrust reversers have been activated on the opposite three engines after the airplane veered left off the runway. It struck a safety automobile, pushing it into the ocean and killing the 2 airport staff inside.
It was the deadliest airport incident within the monetary hub in additional than 25 years.
All 4 crew on board survived however the airplane was destroyed, with the tail part separating on impression, the report mentioned.
Steven Dominique Cheung, chairman of the Hong Kong Skilled Airline Pilots Affiliation, mentioned it was extremely uncommon for a airplane to speed up after touchdown.
With the appropriate aspect engine at full energy and different engines attempting to sluggish the airplane, there may be “no approach you possibly can preserve management,” he mentioned.
Boeing referred queries on the preliminary report back to AAIA.
Emirates and ACT Airways didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
The reason for the crash nonetheless must be decided by a full investigation. AAIA mentioned it was amassing additional knowledge together with technical points associated to the plane’s programs, engineering points, upkeep data and flight crew {qualifications}.
Hong Kong’s Transport and Logistics Bureau mentioned on its Fb web page it aimed to launch a closing report inside a 12 months, which is according to worldwide requirements.
