A search and rescue operation is underway after a cargo plane carrying five crew members disappeared while flying from Sharjah to Karachi, with authorities saying the aircraft lost contact after reporting a navigation system problem.
According to the PAA, the Boeing 737 lost contact with air traffic controllers at 9:21pm local time (1621 GMT) after reporting a navigation system malfunction. The aircraft was approaching Karachi when communication was severed.
The cargo plane was operated by K2 Airways, a Karachi-based private cargo carrier established in 2018.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, K2 Airways confirmed the identities of the five crew members on board and said it was fully cooperating with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant government agencies in the ongoing search.
“We continue to pray earnestly for the safety of our colleagues,” the airline said.
Preliminary flight data from flight-tracking platform Flightradar24 showed the aircraft experienced major fluctuations in altitude before entering a steep descent shortly before contact was lost.
