KARACHI: A Pakistani cargo aircraft carrying five crew members went missing on Tuesday night after losing contact with air traffic control approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation involving the Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force, and civilian maritime resources.
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed that the aircraft disappeared from radar after reporting a malfunction in its navigation system while en route from Sharjah to Karachi. Authorities said the Rescue Coordination Centre was activated immediately after contact was lost.
How Did the Aircraft Disappear?
According to aviation officials, the 27-year-old Boeing 737 cargo aircraft, operating as Flight TA1732, was flying normally at an altitude of 35,000 feet and a speed of 790 kilometres per hour when it encountered an apparent emergency.
Flight tracking data showed that the aircraft suddenly executed a U-turn before entering a rapid descent. Within approximately five minutes, it lost nearly 34,000 feet of altitude, descending to around 1,100 feet while its speed dropped to 211 kilometres per hour before disappearing from radar.
Air traffic controllers stated that the pilot did not issue a Mayday distress call, suggesting the emergency may have unfolded too rapidly for the crew to transmit one.
What Triggered the Emergency?
The Pakistan Airports Authority said the aircraft’s crew reported a malfunction in the navigation system shortly before communication was lost.
The Area Control Centre (ACC) immediately provided navigational guidance after receiving the report, but subsequent attempts to establish contact with the aircraft were unsuccessful.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the incident, and investigations will depend on the outcome of the ongoing search operation.
How Is the Search Operation Being Conducted?
The search has expanded considerably, with military and civilian assets deployed across the suspected area.
The Pakistan Navy has dispatched warships PNS Zulfiqar and PNS Hunain to participate in the search and rescue mission. A Pakistan Air Force Saab surveillance aircraft is conducting aerial reconnaissance, while a Navy ATR aircraft operating from Turbat has joined the operation to broaden aerial coverage.
In addition, commercial vessels operated by the National Shipping Corporation have been mobilised to assist in scanning the waters.
Despite the intensified search, authorities have not reported any debris, emergency signals, or contact with the aircraft or its five crew members.
Has Pakistan Witnessed Similar Incidents Before?
Pakistan has experienced previous cargo aircraft accidents, including a fatal crash in 2010 when a Russian cargo aircraft carrying eight people crashed shortly after taking off from Karachi while bound for Khartoum, Sudan.
The aircraft went down in a residential area after losing contact with air traffic control, killing all eight people on board and triggering extensive rescue operations as nearby buildings caught fire.
The current incident has once again raised concerns over aviation safety as rescue teams continue efforts to locate the missing aircraft and determine the circumstances surrounding its disappearance.