K2 Airways Karachi-bound cargo plane vanishes,five missing

Pakistani authorities have launched a large-scale search and rescue operation after a private cargo aircraft lost contact

Pakistani authorities have launched a large-scale search and rescue operation after a private cargo aircraft lost contact while flying from Sharjah to Karachi. The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed that communication with the aircraft was lost during the flight.

According to the PAA, the crew informed air traffic controllers that the aircraft had developed a fault in its navigation system. After receiving the report, the Karachi Area Control Centre (ACC) immediately provided guidance to help the crew manage the situation.

Officials said the aircraft suddenly began descending rapidly and also changed its flight path before disappearing from radar. Contact through both radar and radio communication was lost at the same time.

According to initial reports, the cargo aircraft belonged to K2 Airways and was operating flight number KTA-1732 from Sharjah to Karachi. Sources said the aircraft was a Boeing 737-400 (Boeing 734) and was registered as AP-BQI.

Sources reported that the aircraft informed air traffic control (ATC) about a navigation issue during the flight. The pilot requested a heading from ATC, after which the aircraft was instructed to maintain its current direction.

Initial information suggests that the aircraft suddenly turned toward the right and began losing altitude rapidly. Reports indicate that the aircraft’s descent rate reached approximately 15,000 feet per minute. Despite several attempts by air traffic controllers to contact the aircraft, no response was received from the crew.

The aircraft disappeared approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi. Soon after the incident, the Rescue Coordination Centre was activated, and a search and rescue operation was launched in the Arabian Sea.

Multiple government agencies are participating in the operation to locate the aircraft and the people on board. Search teams are continuing efforts in the area where the aircraft was last detected.

According to sources, the aircraft had previously experienced a technical fault and had been flown to Sharjah for repairs. It remained there for five days before beginning its return journey to Karachi as a ferry flight, meaning it was operating without cargo.

Sources added that the maintenance work was carried out by a company identified as Northern Techniques before the aircraft was cleared for its return flight.

Officials confirmed that five crew members were on board when contact was lost. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the incident, and the search operation remains underway as investigators continue efforts to determine the aircraft’s location and the circumstances surrounding the loss of communication.