China Airlines Flight 605 Runway Overrun Incident

November 4th, 1993

November 4th, 1993

China Airlines Flight 605 Runway Overrun Incident
How Long Ago?

31 years, 4 months, 11 days ago

Location

Hong Kong

Category

Transportation & Infrastructure

People
  • Captain Chang Cheng-Hsiang
  • First Officer Lee Hsiang-Tai
Links & References
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China Airlines Flight 605 Runway Overrun Incident

China Airlines Flight 605, operated by a Boeing 747-400, overran the runway while landing at Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport. The aircraft, arriving from Taipei, encountered difficulties during its landing due to weather conditions, which contributed to the incident, resulting in damage to the plane but no fatalities among the 278 passengers and crew. Emergency services managed to assist everyone safely off the aircraft, demonstrating effective response protocols at the airport.

Boeing 747-400 involved in the incident.

No fatalities among passengers and crew.

The aircraft overran at Kai Tak Airport.

Adverse weather influenced the landing conditions.

What Happened?

China Airlines Flight 605, a Boeing 747-400, was landing at the notoriously challenging Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong, known for its mountainous terrain and short runways. The aircraft was arriving from Taipei with 278 passengers and crew members on board. As the flight approached for landing, it faced adverse weather conditions including gusty winds and rain, which complicated its landing trajectory. The pilots executed their approach according to protocol but found themselves unable to stop on the limited runway length. As a result, the aircraft overran the runway and came to a halt on a nearby sea wall, fortunately without any injuries or fatalities reported among those on board.

Emergency response teams quickly arrived at the scene to evacuate the passengers and crew safely. Despite the potentially dangerous situation, everyone managed to escape without serious injury. Investigations would later reveal that the pilots' decision-making processes and the challenging landing conditions played significant roles in the incident. This event raised awareness about the complexities of landing at airports like Kai Tak, which has since been closed and replaced by Hong Kong International Airport, where the facilities are designed to handle larger aircraft and adverse weather conditions more safely.

Why Does it Matter?

The incident highlighted the challenges associated with landing at Kai Tak Airport, an airport known for its unique and demanding approach requiring seasoned pilots. It underscored the need for stringent safety measures and preparations under adverse weather conditions. As a result, it contributed to the eventual decision to construct a new airport with modern facilities that enhance safety and passenger experience, emphasizing the evolution of aviation regulations and airport operations.

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