A Pakistan registered Boeing 737 cargo aircraft carrying five crew members has gone missing near Karachi after reporting a navigational system problem during its flight from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Pakistani aviation authorities have launched a large scale search and rescue operation in the Arabian Sea as investigators examine unusual flight data that showed rapid altitude changes and a steep final descent before contact was lost.
The Boeing 737 cargo plane was flying from Sharjah to Karachi when the crew reported a problem with the aircraft’s navigation system at around 9:18 pm Pakistan time. Air traffic controllers attempted to assist the flight, but communication was lost just a few minutes later as the aircraft began descending rapidly.
How Many People Were On Board?
The aircraft had five crew members on board. No passengers were reported to be on the flight.
What Does The Flight Data Show?
Data from flight tracking service Flightradar24 showed unusual altitude changes before the aircraft disappeared from radar. The plane reportedly dropped about 5,000 feet in less than a minute, climbed again by around 6,000 feet, and then entered a very steep descent. The last recorded position showed the aircraft at about 1,100 feet above sea level with an extremely high rate of descent. Aviation experts said such extreme altitude changes are unusual, but it is too early to determine the exact cause.
Authorities said the aircraft was around 287 kilometres west of Karachi when communication was lost. Radar data suggested the plane may have gone down in the sea southwest of Karachi.
Where Is The Search Operation Taking Place?
Pakistan’s Airports Authority has launched a coordinated search and rescue mission in the sea southwest of Karachi. Multiple government agencies are participating in the operation to locate the missing aircraft and its crew. K2 Airways, the operator of the aircraft, said it is fully cooperating with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and other government agencies involved in the investigation and search efforts. The airline also said it is praying for the safety of its crew members.
What Type Of Aircraft Is Missing?
The missing aircraft is a 27 year old Boeing 737 converted freighter. It belongs to an older generation of the Boeing 737 family and is not part of the newer 737 MAX series. It is currently the only aircraft operated by K2 Airways and entered service with the airline in 2024.
What Happens Next?
Authorities will continue search operations while aviation investigators analyze radar records, communication logs, maintenance history and flight data to determine what caused the aircraft to disappear. Until the wreckage is located and examined, officials say the cause of the incident remains unknown.
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