A routine flight from Hong Kong to Los Angeles turned to tragedy on Tuesday evening when a Cathay Pacific aircraft was forced to abort takeoff in a dramatic emergency stop, resulting in one passenger's death and multiple injuries.
The incident occurred around 11pm local time as flight CX880 accelerated down the runway at Hong Kong International Airport. According to eyewitness accounts, the Airbus A330-300 suddenly aborted its takeoff procedure, throwing passengers forward with tremendous force.
Chaos and Confusion Onboard
"It was absolute chaos," described one passenger who wished to remain anonymous. "One moment we were speeding down the runway, the next everything slammed forward. People were screaming, oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling."
Emergency services rushed to the scene as the aircraft came to an abrupt halt on the tarmac. Medical teams boarded the plane to attend to multiple injured passengers, with at least one person reported to be in critical condition.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Hong Kong's Airport Authority confirmed the incident in an official statement, noting that "all relevant parties are cooperating with the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the aborted takeoff."
Cathay Pacific expressed their deepest condolences to the family of the deceased passenger and stated they are providing full support to all affected travellers. The airline has established an emergency response centre to coordinate with authorities and assist passengers and their families.
The Civil Aviation Department has launched a full investigation into what caused the pilots to abort the takeoff procedure. Early reports suggest a technical issue may have triggered emergency protocols, though officials stress the investigation remains in its preliminary stages.
Flight Disruption and Aftermath
The incident caused significant disruption at one of the world's busiest airports, with several flights delayed or diverted as emergency teams attended to the situation. Passengers from the affected flight were provided with hotel accommodation and counselling services.
This marks one of the most serious incidents at Hong Kong International Airport in recent years and raises important questions about emergency procedures during critical takeoff phases.
