Karachi: The company operating the cargo aircraft that went missing while en route from Sharjah to Karachi has released details about the flight and the crew members onboard.
According to the company’s official statement, the cargo aircraft departed from Sharjah for Karachi, but contact with Air Traffic Control (ATC) was lost at 9:21 p.m. on the previous night. The sudden loss of communication has raised concerns, and authorities have launched efforts to determine the aircraft’s whereabouts.
The company confirmed that five people were on board the aircraft at the time communication was lost. The crew included:
- Captain Muhammad Rizwan Idris – Pilot
- First Officer Faisal Mahmood – Co-pilot
- Muhammad Toufiq – Loadmaster
- Arif Siddiqui – Engineer
- Muhammad Hamid – Crew Member
The airline said it is cooperating fully with aviation authorities as investigations and search efforts continue.
Meanwhile, sources revealed that the office of the private company operating the aircraft at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, has been sealed in order to secure records and preserve documents that may assist investigators in determining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In another significant development, Air Traffic Control officials stated that the pilot did not issue a “Mayday” distress call before communication was lost. A Mayday call is the internationally recognized emergency signal used by pilots to report life-threatening situations or serious aircraft emergencies.
The absence of a distress call has prompted investigators to examine various possibilities, including the likelihood of a sudden technical malfunction, electrical failure, or another unforeseen event that may have prevented the crew from communicating with air traffic controllers.
Aviation authorities have begun reviewing radar data, flight records, and operational information to establish the aircraft’s last known position. Search and rescue teams remain engaged in efforts to locate the missing aircraft, while officials continue to gather evidence to determine the cause of the disappearance.
The incident has sparked concern within Pakistan’s aviation community, as authorities work to trace the aircraft and ensure that all available resources are utilized in the ongoing search operation. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
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