A K2 plane operating a cargo flight from Sharjah to Karachi disappeared from radar on Tuesday night after reporting a technical issue with its navigation system, triggering a large-scale search and rescue operation in the Arabian Sea, according to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA).
The aircraft, a K2 Airways Boeing 737 cargo plane, was on its scheduled journey from the United Arab Emirates to Pakistan when the crew informed air traffic controllers of a navigational system malfunction. The report was received at approximately 9:18pm Pakistan Standard Time, prompting immediate assistance from the Karachi Area Control Center (ACC).
According to the PAA, air traffic controllers began coordinating with the K2 plane after receiving the distress report. However, within just a few minutes of the initial communication, the situation took a serious turn.
At around 9:21pm, radar data showed the aircraft making a sudden change in direction while rapidly losing altitude. Shortly afterward, controllers lost both radar contact and radio communication with the K2 plane. The aircraft’s last known position was about 155 nautical miles west of Karachi over the Arabian Sea.
Following the disappearance, the Pakistan Airports Authority immediately activated the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) to manage emergency response efforts. A comprehensive search and rescue mission was launched with the support of multiple agencies to locate the missing aircraft and its crew.
Officials said the search operation is focused on the area where contact with the aircraft was last established. Rescue teams are working to determine the plane’s exact location and gather more information about the incident.
The PAA confirmed that five crew members were on board the K2 plane at the time communication was lost. No passengers were on the cargo flight.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the incident, and investigations will continue once more information becomes available. Search teams remain engaged in efforts to trace the missing aircraft, while aviation officials continue monitoring the situation closely.
The Pakistan Airports Authority said further updates will be shared as the rescue operation progresses and more verified information becomes available regarding the fate of the K2 plane and its crew.
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