ACG’s brand new 747F breaks down in Hong Kong

 AIR Cargo Germany’s latest 747 freighter broke down on a runway at Hong Kong’s Chek Lap Kok International Airport on 21 September. The freighter blocked the runway for several hours bringing chaos to the airport, with 82 flights being affected.

Pilot eyewitnesses described how part of the undercarriage collapsed when the aircraft was preparing to take off to Karaganda (Kazakhstan).

Air Cargo Germany said that the left main gear buckled, but the wing and engines never touched the ground. The carrier had only bought the freighter from Martinair two weeks prior to the incident and it had been fitted with a new landing gear a few weeks before that.

Air Cargo Germany’s chief executive officer, Michael Bock, flew out to Hong Kong to supervise the freighter’s repair, but sources reveal that an official investigation may be called, preventing the aircraft’s immediate return to service.

The airport authority is currently considering whether to build a third runway, as part of its Airport Master Plan 2030 Study, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Even if the authority decides to press ahead with the plan, it is expected to take between 10 and 12 years to complete the new runway. However, the current runways are due to reach their operational capacity in 10 years.

For the full story read the latest free digital edition of Air Cargo News, no. 687 dated 4 October, here.

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