A Pakistan International Airlines A320 carrying a total of 99 passengers and crew members crashed into a congested neighborhood in Karachi this afternoon. At least two survivors have been pulled from the wreckage, but 97 are feared dead.
What Pakistan International Airlines flight crashed?
PK8303, traveling from Lahore (LHE) to Karachi (KHI), has crashed.
When did the PK8303 crash happen?
The crash of PK8303 occurred at 2:45PM local time on Friday, May 22, 2020.
Where did the PK8303 crash happen?
The crash happened in Model Colony, a congested Karachi suburb near Jinnah International Airport (KHI).
Why did the PK8303 crash occur?
At this point, it unknown what triggered the crash, those numerous witness reports suggest that the aircraft circled over KHI at least twice, suggesting two aborted landing attempts. The crew reported problems with the gear, eventually declaring a mayday and that aircraft had lost engines.
You can listen to air traffic control audio here.
How many people were onboard PK8303?
100 passengers and eight crew members were onboard.
Were there any survivors?
At least two passengers have been pulled from the wreckage alive.
Sadly, one person on the ground was killed in the crash, raising the death toll to 98.
Which aircraft crashed?
A 16-year old Airbus A320 with registration AP-BLD crashed. The aircraft had no reported previous safety issues. PIA acquired the aircraft from China Eastern in 2014.
How has Pakistan addressed the crash of PK8303?
Prime Minister Imran Khan issued the following statement on Twitter:
Shocked & saddened by the PIA crash. Am in touch with PIA CEO Arshad Malik, who has left for Karachi & with the rescue & relief teams on ground as this is the priority right now. Immediate inquiry will be instituted. Prayers & condolences go to families of the deceased.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 22, 2020
CONCLUSION
Sobering news indeed. Sadly, PIA has an atrocious safety record, with the last crash being in late 2016. My thoughts and prayers are with those onboard and their loved ones.
image: Anna Zvereva / Wikimedia Commons
Safety record of the Airbus A320
There have been 119 aviation incidents and accidents across the Airbus A320 fleet.
The narrow-body airliners are designed and produced by Airbus, and the first A320 was launched in 1987.
The fleet’s first crash happened just a year later in 1988 after the captain of an Air France Flight 296 delayed applying full power as he climbed away, crashing into trees beyond the runway.
Four further crashes happened in the 1990s, including in Bangalore, the Vosges mountains, Warsaw, and the Philippines.
Nine incidents took place in the 2000s and a further 13 happened between 2011 and 2019.
It is believed that 18 of the accidents have been fatal, including more than 1,400 deaths.
A total of 47 hull loss incidents – when the plane is damaged beyond repair – have occurred among the fleet.
Will Airbus have its 737MAX moment?
Tragic. Remind me to never fly a developing country’s airline.
Awful. Remind me to never fly a developing country’s airline.
What is a congested Karachi?