A K2 Airways Boeing 737-400 cargo aircraft, operating a Pakistan Cargo flight from Sharjah to Karachi, has gone missing in the sea near Karachi, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed on Tuesday. The aircraft was carrying five crew members.
Search and Rescue Operation Launched
According to sources, a search and rescue operation has been launched for the missing aircraft at sea. The Pakistan Navy warship PNS Zulfiqar has reached the area, and a Pakistan Air Force SAAB aircraft is participating in the search. The Pakistan Navy’s ATR aircraft has also taken off from Turbat and joined the operation. Additionally, the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation’s commercial ship Lahore has been deployed for search and rescue efforts.
Navigational System Malfunction Reported
The aircraft reported a navigational system malfunction at 9:18pm, after which the Karachi Area Control Centre (ACC) immediately provided navigational assistance. According to a PAA spokesperson, contact was lost with the private cargo plane during the flight. The plane suddenly descended rapidly and changed direction. It disappeared from radar approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi, with radar and communication links lost simultaneously.
Background on K2 Airways
K2 Airways is a Karachi-based private airline that was established in May 2018 after receiving an airline charter licence from the government. The missing aircraft is a Boeing 737-400 used for cargo operations.
