A cargo aircraft operated by Pakistan's private airline K2 Airways is feared to have crashed after disappearing from radar near Ormara on Tuesday while returning to Karachi from Sharjah after undergoing repairs, prompting a multi-agency search and rescue operation at sea, aviation sources said.
The Boeing 737 had been sent to Sharjah after developing a technical fault and was on a ferry flight back to Karachi following repairs, the sources said. The aircraft had been repaired by Sharjah-based company Northern Technik, which the sources said is owned by a former adviser to Pakistan's aviation sector.
The aircraft was carrying its two-member flight crew — Captain Rizwan and First Officer Faisal Jatoi — as it returned from the United Arab Emirates, according to the sources. However, the Pakistan Airports Authority said there were five crew members on board the aircraft. It identified the rest as Taufiq Khan, Engineer Muhammad Hamid and Arif Siddiqui.
The aircraft made its last contact with Karachi Air Traffic Control at 9:20pm local time. During its final radio transmission, the crew reported a communications system failure, the sources said.
After reporting the malfunction, the aircraft began descending rapidly before disappearing from radar about 120 miles (193 km) south of Karachi, according to the sources.
Authorities have launched a search and rescue operation involving assets from the navy, air force and commercial shipping.
The Pakistan Navy deployed the warship PNS Zulfiqar as well as PNS Hunain, while a Pakistan Air Force Saab 2000 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft and a Pakistan Navy ATR aircraft joined the aerial search.
A Pakistan National Shipping Corporation commercial vessel, Lahore, was also dispatched to assist in the search operation.
The Edhi Foundation's naval team has also been dispatched for the search and rescue operation. It will be assisted by the foundation's Piper Seneca aircraft.
Rescue efforts were continuing late on Tuesday, aided by the Maritime Security Agency as well as a merchant vessel.
The private airline issued an official statement regarding its missing cargo aircraft. According to the airline, a Boeing 737 cargo plane went missing last night while flying from Sharjah to Karachi. The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control at 9:21pm.
The airline said five crew members were on board the missing plane. They were identified as pilot Rizwan Idrees, first officer Faisal Mahmood, loadmaster Tawfiq Khan, and engineers Zarif Siddiqui and Muhammad Hamid.
Search and rescue operations were underway by the relevant agencies, it said, adding that the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and other institutions were also extending cooperation.
The airline management said it prayed for the safety and safe return of the crew members.
The Pakistan International Airlines has expressed grief over the private cargo plane crash in the Arabian Sea. The national carrier offered prayers for the five crew members on board and their families.
The PIA said it was ready to provide all possible cooperation in the search and rescue operation. According to PIA, the Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force and other agencies are actively engaged in relief operations.
The airline appreciated the services of all agencies taking part in the rescue and relief efforts. It said it shared the grief of the affected families in this difficult time.
