Hong Kong urges swift completion of Boeing 747 cargo probe after interim report
Hong Kong's transport bureau has urged investigators to finish probing a Boeing 747 cargo plane crash by end-2026, following an interim statement. The bureau expressed condolences for two airport security staff killed and confirmed coordination with Turkish authorities.
Hong Kong's Transport and Logistics Bureau has urged the city's Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) to complete its probe into a Boeing 747-481 BDSF cargo aircraft accident by the end of 2026, after the authority issued an interim statement on the case.
The interim statement, released in line with International Civil Aviation Organization requirements for annual updates, serves as a mid-term progress report to keep the aviation industry and the public informed, the bureau said on Tuesday. A final report, which will detail the cause of the accident and recommendations for improving aviation safety, will be published once the investigation concludes.
The bureau noted that the technical analysis is complex, with some work needing to be carried out overseas by relevant organisations. The AAIA must coordinate extensively with authorised representatives and technical advisers, including from the US National Transportation Safety Board, Boeing and aircraft component manufacturers, and verify information, factors that affect the investigation timeline.
The bureau said it has asked the AAIA to push ahead as quickly as possible while maintaining a rigorous and professional investigation, with a target of completing all work by the end of 2026. The authority will continue to conduct an independent and thorough investigation in line with international standards to determine the facts of the accident and prevent similar incidents. Any evidence of suspected illegal activity will be handed to law enforcement agencies immediately.
A bureau spokesman expressed deepest condolences for the two airport security officers who died in the accident and offered sincere sympathies to their families. The government has maintained close contact with the families and provided comprehensive support through cross-departmental coordination, including housing assistance.
As the cargo aircraft was registered in Turkey, the bureau has kept in close communication with the Turkish Consulate General in Hong Kong on the accident's aftermath and investigation coordination. Turkish authorities have been fully cooperative. The bureau said it will continue to support the investigation and ensure safety recommendations are implemented to strengthen flight and ground safety standards at Hong Kong International Airport.