Hong Kong authorities could resort to manslaughter charges, which carry a penalty of life imprisonment, if a cargo plane crash that killed two airport staff members is found to have resulted from gross negligence, legal experts have said.

Flight EK9788 veered off a runway during landing at Hong Kong airport on Monday morning and ploughed into the waters, knocking a security patrol vehicle into the sea and killing two people inside.

All four crew members of the Emirates flight, which was operated by Turkish cargo charter carrier ACT Airlines, were rescued and sent to North Lantau Hospital for treatment.

Authorities launched a probe after the crash, with police saying that they had not ruled out launching a criminal investigation.

Barrister Albert Luk Wai-hung said it was not unreasonable for police to be involved in the investigation because it was possible the case could involve “criminal elements”.

“I am not saying that the pilots in this case have committed crimes. Maybe it was just an accident, caused by mechanical failure or bad weather,” he said.

“But if there is evidence that it was because the pilots were just too careless, there could be criminal elements. Just like driving, the driver can be sued for driving carelessly, causing death.”