Investigation Report Reveals Causes of PIA Airbus A320 Crash in Karachi

KARACHI: The final report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board sheds light on the causes behind the tragic crash of Pakistan International Airline’s (PIA) Airbus A320 nearly four years ago in Karachi.

After an extensive investigation, the report attributes the disaster, which resulted in the loss of at least 99 lives on May 22, 2020, to “human error.”

The incident, now identified as the third most catastrophic aviation disaster in Pakistan’s history, claimed the lives of passengers, crew members, and two local residents near the crash site. Among the grim statistics, only two individuals, the then chief executive of the Bank of Punjab and a young engineer, survived the crash.

Communication Breakdown Between Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers

The report revealed that the pilot was warned four times by the air traffic controller before landing that the plane was at an extraordinary altitude. However, on the fifth attempt, the traffic controller allowed the plane to land. The findings indicate a lack of communication and harmony between the two pilots and air traffic controllers.

“During the aircraft’s first landing, the two pilots were not focused. Making the approach for the first landing, the airplane’s landing gears were opened. However, right at the landing time, one of the pilots again closed the landing gear. Hence, the plane attempted to land without opening the landing gears for the first time, during which its engines struck the runway, igniting flames,” the report stated.

Both engines were affected by this incident. The system that provides lubricant oil to both engines malfunctioned after one of the engines hit the runway. Consequently, both engines stopped simultaneously.

Administrative Responsibility and Flight Data Analysis

The report highlighted that data from the plane’s last four minutes could not be recorded as engine failure cut off the electricity supply. It also held the PIA and Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority administratively responsible for the accident.

The report mentioned that the rules of the Civil Aviation Authority regarding pilots flying while fasting were not clear. Additionally, it pointed out that the flight data analysis was not being conducted after every flight by the FDA. This lack of analysis meant that pilot errors related to flight procedures were not identified and corrected.

Details of the Tragic Flight

On May 22, 2020, the ill-fated PIA flight PK 8303 departed from Lahore to Karachi on a Friday afternoon during Ramadan. With 99 people on board, including passengers and crew members, the flight ended in tragedy with 97 fatalities. Miraculously, two passengers survived the crash. Furthermore, two individuals on the ground lost their lives when the plane plummeted onto the population in Karachi’s Model Town area.