The report levels the administrative responsibility for the mishap at PIA and also at the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan
- It was the third most catastrophic air disaster in Pakistan's history.
- Report finds poor communication between pilots and traffic controllers.
- The plane attempted to land without opening the landing gears.
The final investigation report released by the Aviation Accident Investigation Board into the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Airbus A320 almost four years after the crash blames “human error” for the tragedy that claimed at least 99 lives on May 22, 2020.
According to the report, the accident was caused by human error.
At least 99 people, including passengers, crew and two residents of the area where the plane crashed, died in the tragic accident, which was the third most catastrophic air disaster in Pakistan's history. Only two passengers survived the accident: the then CEO of the Bank of Punjab and a young engineer.
The report revealed that the air traffic controller warned the pilot four times before landing that the plane was at an extraordinary altitude, however, the fifth time the traffic controller allowed the plane to land. The findings say that there was a lack of communication and harmony between the two pilots and the air traffic controllers.
“During the first landing of the plane, the two pilots were not focused. During the approach for the first landing, the plane's landing gears opened, however, just at the moment of landing one of the pilots closed the landing gears again. Therefore, the plane attempted to land without opening the landing gears for the first time, during which its engines hit the runway, causing flames,” the report said, adding that the air traffic controller did not inform the pilots about the impact of the engine on the track. ground and emitting flames.
Due to this, both engines were affected. The system that provides lubricating oil to both engines failed after the engine hit the runway. After this, both engines stopped at the same time.
The results revealed that data for the last four minutes of the plane could not be recorded because an engine failure cut off the power supply. The report also attributes administrative responsibility for the accident to the PIA and the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan.
The report mentioned that the Civil Aviation Authority's rules regarding pilots flying on an empty stomach were not evident.
“The FDA does not continue to analyze flight data after each flight at the PIA. Due to the lack of analysis of flight data, pilot errors related to flight procedures are not revealed. Therefore, no attention is paid to correcting these errors,” the report concludes.
On May 22, 2020, the ill-fated PIA flight PK 8303 flew from Lahore to Karachi on Friday afternoon in Ramadan, with 99 people, including passengers and crew, on board. 97 people died in the accident and two passengers miraculously survived. Two people were also killed on the ground when the plane fell on people in the Model Town area of Karachi.
