A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Airbus A320 aircraft has crashed close to the airport in Karachi on May 22 en route from Lahore to Jinnah International Airport.  

The airline initially said that all 99 passengers and eight crew were killed in the incident, but news reports from Pakistan later said that at least two passengers had survived.  

The Airbus A320, registered AP-BLD, was operating flight PK8303 from Lahore (LHE) to Karachi (KHI). 

It took off at 1:08 p.m. local time from Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport for the approximately 90 min. flight.

A PIA spokesman said preliminary reports indicated that the flight had been uneventful even as late as the aircraft’s final approach, when the crew contacted air traffic control and reported everything was normal. Just short of landing, however, PIA said that the pilots reported an unspecified technical fault. Contact with the aircraft was lost shortly afterwards and the aircraft was reported to have crashed. 

A recording on the LiveATC website said to be of the conversation between the flight and air traffic controllers had one of the pilots announce: “We have lost engines,” followed a few seconds later by a Mayday call.

“As per international aviation guidelines, detailed investigation [will] be conducted by [Pakistan’s] Safety Investigation Board (SIB), an independent and transparent body,” the airline said.

Aviation Week Intelligence Network Fleet Data Network shows the aircraft, msn 2274, began its operational life with China Eastern in September 2004. It was returned to lessor GECAS in October 2014 and immediately leased to PIA. An Airbus spokesman said the aircraft had logged 47,100 flight hours and 25,860 cycles as of May 20. It was powered by CFM56-5B4/P engines. 

“At this point, we have no confirmed information concerning the circumstances of the accident,” the PIA spokesman added. “Airbus is providing full technical assistance to the Bureau d’Enquête et d’Analyse [BEA] of France and the Pakistani authorities in charge of the investigation. Technical support is also being provided by PIA and engine manufacturer CFM. Further updates will be provided as soon as further consolidated information is available and Airbus is authorized to release it.” 

A BEA spokesman said, “We are in discussions with all stakeholders to decide whether or not we send a team to the site.”

According to PIA’s website, the airline operates a fleet of Boeing 777s, Airbus A320s and ATRs. Its A320s are mostly used on its domestic and regional routes. 

Pakistan’s prime minister Imran Khan tweeted: “Shocked & saddened by the PIA crash. Am in touch with PIA CEO Arshad Malik, who has left for Karachi & with the rescue & relief teams on ground as this is the priority right now. Immediate inquiry will be instituted. Prayers & condolences go to families of the deceased.”

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in a Twitter statement wrote: “ICAO is saddened by the tragic loss of life on Pakistan International Airlines Flight 8303 and for the families and friends of victims.”

This is PIA’s second crash in four years after an ATR 42-500, operating as flight PK661, crashed Dec. 7, 2016 on a hillside near Havelian, Pakistan, killing all 48 people on board. 

Following widespread flight suspensions because of the COVID-19 crisis, PIA announced a partial resumption of domestic flights from May 16, with plans to operate a limited number of flights between major cities in Pakistan: Karachi to Islamabad, Quetta, Lahore and Peshawar; Lahore to Karachi and Quetta; Islamabad to Karachi and Quetta; Peshawar to Karachi and Quetta to Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. 

In a statement, Airbus confirmed its aircraft was involved in the accident, adding, “Our thoughts are with all those affected. At this stage, Airbus has no confirmed information concerning the circumstances of the accident. In line with ICAO annex 13, Airbus is providing full technical assistance to the Bureau d’Enquête et d’Analyse of France and to the Pakistani Authorities in charge of the investigation.”