Airbus team visits PIA plane crash site in Karachi

KARACHI: A team of Airbus arrived in Karachi to assist the probe of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane crash, visited the site of the crash on Tuesday.

The PIA flight PK-8303 crashed into a residential area on 22 May. As many as 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 11 French experts landed in Karachi Airport on a special Airbus 338 flight this morning. They had received a briefing about the plane crash at the PIA Head Office.

Later, the experts visit the plane crash location along with Pakistan’s investigation team. Sources privy to the development said that the experts will also visit the runway of the Karachi airport and will see the footage of the cameras installed at the runway.

The team will leave for France tonight with the black box and parts of engine essential for the probe into the crash for further investigation.

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.