ACG freighter shuts down HK runway

Air traffic at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) was severely disrupted for more than six hours on 21 September when a fully loaded Air Cargo Germany (ACG) B747-400BCF suffered a main landing gear failure just as it was cleared for takeoff from Chek Lap Kok.

The landing gear reportedly collapesed leaving the aircraft stranded at the entrance to one of two runways at HKIA, forcing its closure. Eight-two flights that were estimated to have at least 8,000 passengers onboard were affected in the first three hours of the runway closure. Thirty-one departures and 51 arrivals were delayed.