Preliminary PIA plane crash report presented to PM Imran

Preliminary PIA plane crash report presented to PM Imran

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan on Monday has presented the preliminary investigation report on the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-8303 crash in Karachi to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan. 

During the meeting, the minister has briefed the premier about the incident, saying CCTV footage showed that the ill-fated plane hit the runway after which, the pilot chose to go around (re-take off). Evidence of damages caused to both engines of the plane due to failed landing was also found, he told.

According to the report, the plane was fit for take-off and its landing gears were also working properly. The captain and first officer of the aircraft were well experienced and the weather at that time was also suitable for flying.

The preliminary investigation report has further blamed plane’s captain, crew members and the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) for the crash, while PIA and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have also been held responsible because of their inaccuracies in preventing such accidents.

The airport administration had told that the plane was flying at high altitude at the time of landing, the report revealed.

The inquiry report was prepared while keeping in view the investigation record, statements of staff and Airbus team’s report. Data flight recorders, cockpit voice recorders and flight records obtained from air traffic control are also part of the report.

It is pertinent to mention here that all but two of the 99 people on board a Pakistan International Airline (PIA) passenger plane were killed when it crashed into a residential neighborhood of Karachi.

The PIA plane had made multiple approaches to land at Karachi airport when it came down among houses.

The national carrier’s flight PK-8303 took off from Lahore Allama Iqbal International Airport and crashed in Model Colony area in Malir, approximately 4 kilometers away from the airport.

The plane came to rest about 2:39pm in a narrow alley in the poor and congested residential area known as Model Colony between houses smashed by its wings.