A K2 Airways cargo aircraft, flight KTA-1732, disappeared over the Arabian Sea near Karachi on Tuesday evening after reporting a technical malfunction, triggering a large-scale search and rescue operation involving the Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force, and other agencies.
Incident Details
According to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), the Boeing 737-300 (registration AP-BOI) was en route from Sharjah to Karachi when, at 9:18 PM, the pilot informed air traffic control of a malfunction in the aircraft's navigation system and requested assistance. The Karachi Area Control Centre immediately provided navigational guidance. However, at 9:21 PM, just three minutes later, radar showed the aircraft rapidly descending and changing course. All radar and communication contact was lost approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi.
Search and Rescue Operation
Initial reports indicate the aircraft may have crashed into the Arabian Sea. The Rescue Coordination Centre was activated immediately after contact was lost. A multi-agency search operation was launched, with the Pakistan Navy dispatching the warship PNS Zulfiqar to the area. The Pakistan Air Force deployed a Saab aircraft from Bholari Air Base for aerial search, while a Pakistan Navy ATR aircraft took off from Turbat. Additionally, the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) has deployed its merchant vessel Lahore to assist in the efforts.
Five crew members were on board at the time of the incident. Authorities stated that the cause of the incident will be determined after a formal investigation, while the search for the missing aircraft and its crew continues.
