Karachi: A private cargo aircraft flying from Sharjah to Karachi has gone missing over the Arabian Sea after losing contact with air traffic controllers during its approach to Pakistan, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation involving multiple civil and military agencies.
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed that communication with the aircraft was lost during the flight. According to the authority, the aircraft was carrying five crew members at the time of the incident.
The missing aircraft has been identified as K2 Airways Flight KTA1732, a Boeing 737-400 registered as AP-BOI, operating a cargo flight from Sharjah to Karachi.
Navigation Problem Reported Before Contact Was Lost
According to the PAA spokesperson, at 9:18 p.m., while flying on air route G216, approximately 150 nautical miles south of Karachi, the flight crew informed Karachi Area Control Centre (ACC) that the aircraft was experiencing a navigation system malfunction and requested guidance.
Air traffic controllers instructed the crew to maintain their current heading while assistance was being provided.
Moments later, controllers observed the aircraft making an unexpected right turn while rapidly losing altitude. Data indicated a descent rate of approximately 15,000 feet per minute, suggesting a serious in-flight emergency.
Despite repeated attempts by air traffic controllers to re-establish communication, no response was received from the cockpit.
At 9:21 p.m., when the aircraft was approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi, it disappeared from radar. Both radar tracking and radio communications were lost simultaneously.
No Mayday Distress Call Received
Speaking to Geo News, an air traffic controller confirmed that the pilot did not transmit a Mayday distress call before contact was lost.
Officials believe the crew may have encountered a sudden emergency that left them with insufficient time to declare an emergency.
The absence of a distress signal has become an important aspect of the ongoing investigation.
Aircraft Had Recently Undergone Repairs
According to aviation sources, the aircraft had recently experienced technical problems and had been flown to Sharjah for maintenance.
The aircraft reportedly remained in Sharjah for five days, where repair work was carried out before it departed for Karachi.
Sources said the aircraft was operating as a ferry flight, meaning it was returning without cargo after maintenance.
The repairs were reportedly performed by a company identified as Northern Techniques, which sources said is associated with a former aviation adviser in Pakistan. Authorities have not officially commented on whether the recent maintenance was connected to the incident.
Search and Rescue Operation Underway
Immediately after the aircraft disappeared, the Pakistan Airports Authority activated the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) and launched a search and rescue mission over the Arabian Sea.
The operation involves several national agencies working together to locate the missing aircraft and its crew.
According to official sources, the Pakistan Navy has deployed the warships PNS Zulfiqar and PNS Hunain to the suspected search area.
The Pakistan Air Force is also participating in the operation using surveillance aircraft, while a Pakistan Navy ATR aircraft departed from Turbat to assist in aerial searches.
In addition, merchant vessels operated by the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) have been directed to support the search and rescue effort in the area where the aircraft is believed to have disappeared.
Investigation Continues
Authorities are reviewing radar data, flight records, maintenance history, and communications with air traffic control as part of the investigation into the aircraft’s disappearance.
As of now, the aircraft has not been located, and search operations remain ongoing. Aviation authorities have stated that further information will be released as rescue teams gather additional evidence and the investigation progresses.
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