KARACHI: Pakistani authorities have intensified search and rescue efforts for a missing private cargo aircraft that disappeared off the Karachi coast during a flight from Sharjah to Karachi. The operation involves the Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force, and merchant vessels, all working together to locate the aircraft and its five crew members.
According to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi while approaching Pakistan. Since then, maritime and aerial assets have been deployed across the Arabian Sea to search for the missing plane.
Prime Minister Expresses Condolences
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing the disappearance of the cargo aircraft as a tragic event. He extended his condolences to the families of the five crew members and directed the Civil Aviation Authority, Pakistan Navy, and Pakistan Air Force to accelerate search operations using all available resources.
Officials said the government is closely monitoring developments as rescue teams continue their efforts in challenging offshore conditions.
Navy and Air Force Join the Mission
Sources said the Pakistan Navy has deployed the warships PNS Zulfiqar and PNS Hunain to the search area. In addition, a Pakistan Air Force Saab surveillance aircraft and a Pakistan Navy ATR aircraft operating from Turbat have joined the mission, providing aerial surveillance over the designated search zone.
Merchant ships navigating nearby waters have also been requested to assist by reporting any possible sightings of debris or emergency signals.
Crew Members Identified
A spokesperson for the cargo company confirmed that the aircraft departed from Sharjah and lost contact with air traffic control at 9:21pm on Wednesday.
The five crew members on board were identified as:
- Captain Muhammad Rizwan Idris (Pilot)
- Faisal Mehmood (First Officer)
- Muhammad Taufiq (Loadmaster)
- Arif Siddiqui (Engineer)
- Muhammad Hamid
Meanwhile, authorities sealed the cargo company’s office at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport to preserve operational records as part of the investigation.
Flight Data Reveals Unusual Final Moments
Flight tracking data indicated that Flight TA1732 had been cruising normally at an altitude of 35,000 feet and a speed of approximately 790 kilometres per hour before encountering an unexpected situation.
The aircraft reportedly made a sudden U-turn before entering a rapid descent. Within about five minutes, it lost nearly 34,000 feet in altitude, eventually descending to approximately 1,100 feet while slowing to around 211 kilometres per hour, after which it disappeared from radar.
An air traffic controller told Geo News that the pilot did not issue a Mayday distress call before communication was lost, suggesting the emergency may have developed too quickly for the crew to respond.
Investigation Continues
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the aircraft’s disappearance. Aviation experts note that investigators typically require access to the crash site, flight recorders, maintenance records, weather data, and communication logs before drawing conclusions.
Officials have urged the public to avoid speculation until verified information becomes available through the ongoing investigation.
Karachi Has Witnessed Similar Incidents Before
Although cargo aircraft accidents are relatively rare, Karachi has experienced similar tragedies in the past. In 2010, a Russian cargo aircraft carrying eight people crashed into a residential area shortly after taking off from Karachi while bound for Khartoum, Sudan.
All eight people on board were killed, and the crash sparked fires in nearby buildings, triggering a major rescue operation. Investigators at the time reported that the aircraft had also lost contact with air traffic control only minutes after departure.
As search operations continue in the Arabian Sea, authorities remain focused on locating the missing aircraft and providing answers to the families awaiting news of their loved ones.
