The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) today (September 16) published the final report (3/2021) on the investigation into a serious incident involving a Boeing 747-87UF freighter (registration mark N856GT) operated by Atlas Air under a wet lease of Cathay Pacific Airways Limited at Lo Fu Tau, Lantau Island, on September 24, 2017.
At 11.44pm, the freighter deviated to the right of the published Standard Instrument Departure (SID) track and headed towards the high ground at Lo Fu Tau with elevation 1 527 feet on Lantau Island shortly after it took off from Runway 07R at Hong Kong International Airport. Air Traffic Control (ATC) then informed the flight crew that the freighter was off track and instructed the crew to turn left to resume the SID track. The ATC also informed the flight crew of the terrain to the right of the freighter and instructed them to expedite the climb to 5 000 feet above mean sea level (AMSL).
When the freighter was at approximately 2 000 feet AMSL, the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System on board the aircraft was triggered. The pilot reacted immediately and the freighter climbed, overflying the terrain at approximately 670 feet above ground level. The freighter re-established the SID track at around 11.46pm and the flight continued without further incident. There was neither injury to the personnel nor damage to the aircraft, and no other air traffic was affected. The occurrence was classified as a serious incident according to the criteria of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The investigation was conducted by a team of professional investigators in adherence to international standards established by the ICAO. The investigation concluded that the Radius-fix SID RASSE 1E was modified when it was programmed into the Flight Management Computer, resulting in the flight deviation of the freighter after take-off. The investigation team has made two safety recommendations.
"The investigation report was published by the AAIA with the objective of identifying the circumstances and causes of the serious incident with a view to preventing recurrence," an AAIA spokesperson said.
Throughout the investigation, all parties concerned were properly consulted on the report. The report is available for download at the AAIA webpage (www.thb.gov.hk/aaia/eng/investigation_reports/index.htm).
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