PIA plane crash: Aviation ministry to oversee inquiry into the incident, says PIA CEO

He said the airplane of Airbus that crashed was totally fit and safe for flying.

KARACHI (Dunya News) – Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Air Marshal (r) Arshad Malik on Friday said that Safety Investigation Board will hold thorough inquiry into the tragic incident of plane crash in Karachi.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi, he said cause of the incident will be ascertained after taking all factors into account for the investigation.

He said that the aviation ministry will oversee an inquiry into the incident, adding that we want the inquiry report to be completed as soon as possible but we cannot say when. “We do not wish to interfere with the inquiry in any way," he said.

Air Marshal (r) Arshad Malik said the crashed plane was technically fit for flying and there was no obvious reason of accident, adding that a plane is given clearance only after all technical checks are made.

The PIA CEO said landing of the plane is done after getting clearance from Civil Aviation Authority. He said the airplane of Airbus that crashed was totally fit and safe for flying.

“PIA pilots are some of the best in the world and cabin crew was also qualified as well as inspection of the plane was regularly done,” he said.

He said: “Rescue operation is in full swing despite night time and technical difficulties of operating in residential area, adding that PIA has vacated its hotels in Karachi to house the relatives of the deceased.”

Earlier today, in a video message, Air Vice Marshal (r) Arshad Malik while expressing sadness over loss of lives in the plane crash in Karachi which left several people dead and many others wounded said that this was tragic incident.

He said that the pilot of PK8303 had told ATC that the plane was experiencing “technical difficulties” - both runways were available for landing but the pilot did a go-around.

The PIA CEO went on to say that probe will be conducted to find out what exactly happened. 

Earlier today, a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane with more than 100 people believed to be on board crashed in the southern city of Karachi.

Images aired on Dunya News showed the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight had smashed into a residential area, with clouds of thick black smoke billowing from the site.

"The plane crashed in Karachi. We are trying to confirm the number of passengers but initially it is 99 passengers and eight crew members," said Abdul Sattar Khokhar, the spokesman for the country s aviation authority, adding that the flight was coming from Lahore.

Khokhar added that the aircraft was an Airbus A320 and was en route to Karachi.

The Pakistan military later tweeted that security forces had been deployed to the area and helicopters were being used to survey the damage and help ongoing rescue operations.

It comes just days after the country began allowing commercial flights to resume after planes were grounded during a lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic.

Pakistan has a chequered military and civilian aviation safety record, with frequent plane and helicopter crashes over the years.

In 2016, a Pakistan International Airlines plane burst into flames after one of its two turboprop engines failed while flying from the remote northern to Islamabad, killing more than 40 people.

PIA, one of the world s leading airlines until the 1970s, now suffers from a sinking reputation due to frequent cancellations, delays and financial troubles. It has been involved in numerous controversies over the years, including the jailing of a drunk pilot in Britain in 2013.

The crash comes as Pakistanis across the country are preparing to celebrate the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eidul Fitr, with many travelling back to their homes in cities and villages.