Missing Boeing 737 Found After Search in Arabian Sea

Pakistani authorities have located a cargo Boeing 737, operated by K2 Airways, after it went missing over the Arabian Sea. The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control approximately 80 minutes into its flight from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates to Karachi, Pakistan.

The Pakistan Airports Authority reported that the plane was found 53 nautical miles south of Ormara, a port town along the coast. Just three minutes before it disappeared, pilots communicated a navigational system fault. Following this, air traffic control in Karachi attempted to assist.

Data from the flight tracking service Flightradar24 indicated a concerning descent, with the aircraft's altitude fluctuating considerably. Reports suggested it dropped from 11,140 metres (36,550 feet) to 335 metres (1,100 feet), recording a descent rate that far exceeded standard operational parameters for commercial airliners.

An extensive search and rescue operation was initiated, employing various agencies and resources including naval and civilian vessels. Images of the wreckage show components of the fuselage and tail section.

The airline confirmed the identification of five crew members, comprising a pilot, a first officer, a load master, and two engineers. K2 Airways noted that it is collaborating with government authorities to facilitate the investigation.

Registered as AP-BOI, the aircraft had been in operation for over 27 years. Initially delivered to Aeroflot in 1999, it was later acquired by various airlines, including Garuda Indonesia. The aircraft had been transformed into a freighter in 2011 before K2 Airways acquired it for their operations in 2024.

The incident has drawn attention, given Pakistan's history with aviation accidents. Notably, in 2020, an Airbus A320 operated by Pakistan International Airlines crashed, resulting in 98 fatalities. In a statement, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences to the families of the missing crew members and highlighted the ongoing search efforts.

Further investigations are expected to uncover details surrounding the navigational issues reported before the aircraft's disappearance. Boeing, the aircraft's manufacturer, has yet to release a comment regarding the incident.