Hong Kong Airlines｜Taiwan netizens claim flight returning from Vancouver to Hong Kong collided with maintenance vehicle, Hong Kong Airlines denies collision, clarifies cabin pressure operation is normal

Recently, a Taiwanese netizen said that on June 26, while on a Hong Kong Airlines flight from Vancouver back to Hong Kong, the aircraft was allegedly struck by a ground engineering vehicle before takeoff. After checks, it was reported that the flight took off normally; however, she and her mother felt unwell during the flight, saying they “felt like they couldn’t breathe.” She also said, “During the flight, I genuinely felt like I was about to go—my life flashed before my eyes,” while also implying doubts about flight safety. After looking through online information, there is no information indicating that a plane-collision accident occurred at Vancouver Airport that day. Hong Kong Airlines said the incident only involved the tow-vehicle towing-connector attachment component, and that during the local ground handling team’s pushback process, improper operation caused the tow bar safety device’s protective disconnect to activate. There was no contact with any part of the aircraft body. Cabin pressurization operated normally throughout the entire flight, and no passengers reported any physical discomfort during the journey.

The information shows that Hong Kong Airlines currently operates one HX081 flight per day, departing from Vancouver International Airport at 1:30 a.m. and returning to Hong Kong. The netizen marked Hong Kong Airlines on social media, stating that in the early morning of June 26 she flew from Vancouver back to Hong Kong, and claimed that during preparations for takeoff there was a collision—an engineering vehicle hit the aircraft—and that a comprehensive inspection was required. Afterward, the flight was delayed by about 1 hour before taking off. She also said that about 40 minutes after the flight began, she felt she couldn’t breathe, her complexion turned pale, “and her eyes looked like they were about to pop out.” She further said, “During the journey, I really felt like I was about to go—my life flashed before my eyes,” and her mother also felt unwell.

She did not disclose whether she sought help from the flight crew, or what the situation was after arriving in Hong Kong. She said that after returning to Taiwan, she told her family about the incident. Her family questioned whether the cabin pressure inside the aircraft had been checked, saying it caused “hypoxia,” implying doubts about flight safety. She also added that there was a “typhoon” that day and that she felt unwell from continuously encountering turbulence. However, Hong Kong Observatory records show that on June 26, no warnings for tropical cyclones were issued. On that day, only two yellow rainstorm warning signals and one red rainstorm warning signal were issued.

No data shows a collision occurred at Vancouver Airport that day

In addition, this outlet searched online and found no information indicating that a collision accident occurred at Vancouver Airport that day. Flight tracking websites show that on June 26, HX081’s departure time was more than 1 hour later than usual.

Hong Kong Airlines said that on that day, during the pre-departure preparation stage of flight HX081, improper operation by the local airport ground handling service provider during the pushback process caused the tow bar safety device to protectively disconnect. During the incident, there was no contact with the aircraft body, and no one was injured.

“This incident only involved the towing-connector attachment component of the tow vehicle. It has nothing to do with the structural body of the passenger aircraft or the cabin pressurization system. Cabin pressurization operated normally throughout the flight, and we also received no reports from any passengers about physical discomfort during the journey.”

▲ Hong Kong Airlines. (Information photo)

Hong Kong Airlines reminds: If you feel unwell, inform the crew to “ensure a safe and worry-free journey”

A spokesperson for Hong Kong Airlines emphasized that Hong Kong Airlines always places flight safety first, strictly complies with all safety regulations, and that at the time, the aircraft underwent a comprehensive inspection according to procedures and completed all required maintenance. The journey would continue only after confirming that the aircraft was fully airworthy and operating normally. The flight was delayed by about 1 hour and 24 minutes. Hong Kong Airlines said it had actively carried out a comprehensive review with the Vancouver ground handling service provider regarding the incident to ensure that similar mistakes would not happen again.

Hong Kong Airlines also said, “We hereby remind passengers that if you feel any discomfort during the flight, please immediately notify the crew so that assistance can be arranged to ensure a safe and worry-free journey.”