PIA Crash: Report presented in NA; holds pilot prime responsible

Federal Minister for Aviation, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, in National Assembly today, presented an initial investigation report on the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane crash.

Speaking in the House, the minister blamed the plane’s captain, crew members, and the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) for the crash, while PIA and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have also been held responsible because of their inaccuracies in preventing such accidents.

The Minister said that the pilot neglected instruction given by the Air Traffic Controller. Action against the responsible people will be taken according to the law, he vowed.

The minister told that CCTV footage showed that the ill-fated plane hit the runway after which, the pilot chose to go around (re-take off).

Evidence of damages caused to both engines of the plane due to failed landing was also found, he told.

The report that was presented in the assembly said the plane was fit for take-off and its landing gears were also working properly.

The captain and first officer of the aircraft were well experienced and the weather at that time was also suitable for flying.

The inquiry report was prepared while keeping in view the investigation record, statements of staff, and Airbus team’s report. Data flight recorders, cockpit voice recorders and flight records obtained from air traffic control are also part of the report.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Federal Minister Ghulam Sarwar said that in the past inquiry reports of crashes could not come to light and in recent times many accidents have taken place, no one has been identified and no one has been punished.

The Federal Minister said that there were rumours that the inquiry into the Karachi plane crash may be biased but I promised that there will be a clear and transparent inquiry into the plane crash.

The PK-8303 airplane crashed in Karachi’s Model Colony on May 22, killing 97 people aboard. Only two people survived.