Islamabad: A Pakistani K2 Airways cargo aircraft flying from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates to Karachi went missing over the Arabian Sea on Tuesday night after losing contact with air traffic control, triggering a major search and rescue operation.
According to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), the aircraft developed a technical problem during the flight. The pilot informed Karachi Air Traffic Control that the aircraft was experiencing a malfunction in its navigation system, following which controllers provided the necessary guidance.
Officials said the last communication with the aircraft was received at 9:18 p.m. Shortly afterwards, radar data showed the plane changing course and rapidly losing altitude. Contact with the aircraft was completely lost at around 9:22 p.m., approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi.
Fearing that the cargo plane may have crashed into the Arabian Sea, the Pakistan Airports Authority immediately activated its Rescue Coordination Centre and launched a joint multi-agency search and rescue operation.
The aircraft was carrying five crew members, and efforts are underway to trace the missing plane and locate the occupants.
