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Hong Kong Crash Probe Finds 747’s No. 4 Engine Surged After Landing

Investigators now focus on aircraft systems, maintenance records, human factors with a full report targeted within a year.

Overview

  • A preliminary report says engine 4 accelerated after touchdown, rising to about 106%–107% thrust over 12 seconds and creating severe asymmetry.
  • Cockpit examination found thrust levers for engines 1–3 closed with reverse selected, while the engine 4 lever sat at full forward and its reverse lever fully forward.
  • The cargo jet veered off Hong Kong International Airport’s north runway and struck a security patrol car, killing two workers; the four crew members were uninjured.
  • The flight was dispatched with engine 4’s thrust reverser inoperative under allowable rules, the first officer performed the landing, automatic braking disengaged, and the captain then took control.
  • Hong Kong’s AAIA is gathering further data with support from Turkey’s investigation center, the U.S. NTSB and Boeing, with the flight and airport conditions reported as normal before the excursion.