Airbus team arriving in Karachi to investigate PIA plane crash

KARACHI: A team of aircraft manufacturer Airbus is expected to arrive in Karachi on Monday (today) to assist the investigation of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane crash.

The PIA flight PK-8303 crashed into a residential area on Friday. 97 passengers and crew members of the aircraft were killed in the incident, except two survivors. However, no resident of the Model Colony’s Jinnah Garden where the plane crashed was among the victims.

The team of French experts will arrive at Karachi Airport on a special Airbus 338 flight. The experts will visit the plane crash site along with Pakistan’s investigation team. They will receive a briefing about the plane crash at the PIA Head Office.

They are also likely to visit the runway at the Karachi airport where the plane reportedly skidded while attempting to make an emergency landing. They will see the footage of the cameras installed at the runway. The team will leave for France tomorrow on May 26 with the material essential for the probe into the crash.

In a recent letter issued to all airlines operating the A-320 jets, Airbus said they will provide full technical cooperation to the PIA, Air France, and engine manufacturer CFM International after the crash.

The company also conveyed its condolences to and solidarity with the families of those killed in the accident. It said the aircraft’s registration and manufacturer serial numbers were APBLD and 2274, respectively. The plane was handed over to the PIA in 2014 and had completed 47,100 flight hours and 25,860 flight cycles until its crash.