A search operation is underway after a K2 Airways Boeing 737 cargo plane disappeared from radar near the coast of Karachi, Pakistan. The aircraft was carrying five crew members when it lost contact with air traffic controllers during a flight from Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, to Karachi.
Pakistan aviation officials said the aircraft suddenly dropped in altitude before communication stopped. The incident happened on Tuesday at 21:21 local time, according to the country’s airport authority.
Plane Reported Navigation System Issue Before Disappearance
The cargo aircraft informed air traffic control about a navigation system problem shortly before it started descending. Officials said the Boeing 737 showed unusual flight behavior before losing contact.
Preliminary information from flight tracking platform Flightradar24 showed a sudden change in altitude followed by a rapid descent.
The aircraft was operated by K2 Airways, a private cargo airline based in Karachi. The company was established in 2018 and operates cargo flight services.
Five Crew Members Were On Board
K2 Airways confirmed that five crew members were travelling on the aircraft. The airline released a statement saying it was working closely with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and other government departments during the search operation.
The airline expressed concern for its employees and said it was hoping for their safe recovery.
Navy and Air Force Join Search Efforts
Several government agencies have joined the rescue mission to locate the missing aircraft. Pakistan’s navy and air force are taking part in the search operation along with aviation authorities.
Officials are continuing efforts to find the plane and determine what caused the aircraft to disappear during its flight.
Previous Major Aviation Accident in Karachi
Pakistan’s last major aviation disaster occurred in 2020 when a Pakistan International Airlines passenger aircraft crashed while approaching Karachi airport.
The accident resulted in the deaths of 97 people, while two passengers survived. Authorities later investigated the causes behind the crash.
The current search for the K2 Airways cargo plane remains active as officials work to locate the aircraft and gather more information about the incident.
