A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Karachi to Lahore reportedly landed without one of its rear tires, raising concerns about flight safety and aircraft maintenance.
According to sources, PIA Flight PK-306 departed from Karachi and landed at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport at 10 PM, where it was discovered that a tire was missing. The Lahore Air Traffic Control Officer (ATCO) alerted authorities, leading to an inspection at Karachi Airport, where a part of the aircraft’s wheel shaft was found. Despite extensive searches at both Karachi and Lahore airports, the missing tire remains unaccounted for more than 14 hours after the incident.
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Reports confirm that the aircraft had all its tires intact at takeoff from Karachi. However, the landing and taxiing at Lahore Airport were completed without any immediate complications.
In an official statement, a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spokesperson suggested that the issue might have resulted from a foreign object striking the tire on Karachi’s runway. PIA also released a statement confirming the anomaly, assuring that the flight had landed safely despite the missing wheel.
“As per aviation safety regulations, PIA’s Flight Safety Department and the Civil Aviation Authority have launched a thorough investigation,” the airline stated. “While the exact cause will be determined after a detailed inquiry, initial findings suggest the tire may have been damaged due to an external factor or a possible fault on the runway.”
