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3 fatalities

China Airlines Flight CI642 Accident at Hong Kong International Airport (B-150)

Hong Kong-Chek Lap Kok, ChinaLanding (descent or approach)

On August 22, 1999, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 (registration B-150) operated by Mandarin Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Hong Kong-Chek Lap Kok, China during landing or approach. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The cause of the accident was the commander’s inability to arrest the high rate of descent existing at 50 feet RA. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered B-150
Aircraft registered B-150. Photo: Aero Icarus from Zürich, Switzerland / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

China Airlines Flight CI642 crashed during an ILS approach to Runway 25L in Hong Kong due to a high rate of descent. The aircraft impacted the runway hard, causing structural failure and fire. One passenger died later, while others were seriously injured.

Operational Context

China Airlines Flight CI642 was operating from Bangkok to Taipei with an intermediate stop in Hong Kong. The flight departed Bangkok on schedule with 300 passengers and 15 crew members aboard. The commander had planned for a high-landing-weight scenario due to fuel reserves intended for holding or diversion options. Weather reports indicated the presence of Severe Tropical Storm 'Sam,' bringing strong winds, heavy precipitation, and warnings of significant windshear and severe turbulence.

Approach and Descent

The crew received an Instrument Landing System (ILS) clearance for Runway 25L at Hong Kong International Airport. Although initial briefings referenced Runway 25R, the active runway was confirmed as 25L via Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS). The approach proceeded using autopilot and autothrottle until approximately 700 feet above ground level, where the commander manually took control of the aircraft while leaving the autothrottle engaged to manage speed.

Accident Sequence

At approximately 250 feet, the co-pilot noted a significant decrease in indicated airspeed. Thrust was applied, raising the speed to 175 knots, before being reduced again. During this reduction, the aircraft passed the point where the autothrottle commands idle thrust for landing. The rate of descent increased significantly beyond the previous 750–800 feet per minute. Despite an attempt to flare, the high descent rate was not arrested.

Impact and Aftermath

The aircraft impacted the runway hard in a slightly right-wing-down attitude before the normal touchdown zone. The right main landing gear collapsed outward, causing the right wing assembly to fail. Spilled fuel ignited as the aircraft rolled inverted and came to rest upside-down alongside the runway. Emergency services extinguished the fire and evacuated passengers through available exits and fuselage ruptures.

Casualties

Two passengers were pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Six crew members and 45 passengers sustained serious injuries. One of the seriously injured passengers died five days later in the hospital.

Probable cause

The cause of the accident was the commander’s inability to arrest the high rate of descent existing at 50 feet RA. Contributory factors included the failure to appreciate the combination of reducing airspeed, increasing rate of descent, and thrust decreasing to flight idle; the failure to apply power to counteract the high rate of descent prior to touchdown; and probable variations in wind direction and speed below 50 feet RA which may have resulted in a momentary loss of headwind component.
Loss of control in flight

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