Pakistan seeks foreign expertise to recover K2 Airways black box

Pakistan has stepped up efforts to locate and recover the black box and wreckage of a K2 Airways aircraft that crashed into the sea near Ormara in July, as authorities explore international assistance and advanced deep-sea search technology.

Nearly four months after the accident, the search operation is entering a new phase. The aircraft is believed to be lying at a depth of around 3,000 metres, making the recovery mission technically challenging and requiring specialised equipment and expertise.

Government officials have intensified contacts with foreign specialists and international companies to assess suitable methods for locating the wreckage on the seabed. The black box and other recovered material are considered vital to establishing the circumstances surrounding the crash and reconstructing the aircraft’s final moments.

The cargo aircraft crashed into the sea off Ormara on July 7 after encountering adverse conditions. According to sources, the transmitter beacon attached to the black box stopped emitting signals about a month after the accident, complicating efforts to locate the device.

The Pakistan Navy previously used specialised equipment, including side-scan sonar, to survey the suspected crash site. However, further progress is expected to depend on more advanced underwater systems and deep-sea recovery expertise.

The proposed operation could involve a multibeam echo sounder to create a detailed three-dimensional map of the seabed. Such technology would help search teams examine underwater terrain, identify obstacles and narrow down the areas requiring further investigation.

Autonomous underwater vehicles could also be deployed to scan the seabed using sonar, cameras and other sensors. Remotely operated vehicles, controlled from a support vessel, may be used to inspect suspected wreckage closely through high-definition cameras, powerful lights and robotic equipment.

Investigators could also consider magnetometers to detect magnetic variations caused by large metallic objects. A towed pinger locator may be used to search for acoustic signals from the black box, although its effectiveness could be limited if the transmitter is no longer operational.

Given the extreme depth, the recovery mission may require specialised salvage vessels equipped with heavy-duty winches, cranes and remotely operated systems. Combining sonar data, magnetic readings and underwater images could help investigators confirm the wreckage’s location before attempting recovery.

Recovering the black box is a key priority because its flight data and cockpit voice recordings could provide crucial information about the aircraft’s final moments, cockpit activity and possible causes of the crash.

Sources said the company that owns the cargo aircraft would bear 50 per cent of the search costs. Raja Tariq, who reportedly holds up to 60 per cent of the company’s shares, has been informed of the decision.