The pilot of Pakistan International Airlines flight PK301 decided to bring back the plane at Islamabad after taking off for a domestic flight to Karachi. PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan said in a statement that “pilot decided to bring the plane back to airport following standard operating procedures”. But according to a passenger Syed Noman Ali Jafri “Onboard PK301. It took off. Engines stopped working. Glided for a while. Thought that this is the end of my temporary life. After extremely scary 10 mins plane landed. Thanks to Allah and this guy.”
As we checked flight data both engines of the aircraft were functioning and aircraft continued to take off at an altitude in line with speed and then descended at a given altitude in line with speed. PIA sources claim that the “captain took the decision to bring back the plane after inertial navigation system showed error. But he apparently made a mistake to announce that he has an engine failure or something like that”. Two senior PIA officials who are privy to the matter told us that the pilot denies making such an announcement about engine failure or such. On the other hand passengers statement is on the record where he clearly mentions “engine stopped working”.
Regardless of who is right or wrong the responsibility lies with the airline to either discipline the pilot who made such an irresponsible announcement if there was not issue with engines. Or if there was an engine issue or an issue with the internal navigation system whoever approved the aircraft for flight should be taken to task. Amid so much uncertainty and fears after the crash of PIA flight at Karachi airport it is high time the airline tackles these issue as a priority.
