Pak plane crash: Pilot ignored warning about plane speed from air traffic control: Reports

In the latest update to the ill-fated Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) crash in Karachi, the pilot onboard ignored the warnings given by the air traffic control about the plane height and speed as the aircraft approached for landing. Reports by the air traffic control suggest that the two warnings were given to the pilot to lower the plan's altitude, but they were ignored. The plane crash killed 97 passengers.

READ | 97 dead, 2 survived in Pakistan plane crash: Officials

Pilot ignores warning

According to a report from air traffic control, the flight left the Lahore airport at 1:05 pm (local time) and was scheduled to land at the Jinnah International Aiport in Karachi at 2:30 pm (local time). At 2:30 pm, the plane was 15 nautical miles from Karachi at Makli, flying at an altitude of 10,000 feet above the ground instead of 7,000 feet, when the air traffic control issued its first warning to the pilot to lower the plane's altitude.

Instead of lowering the plane altitude, the pilot responded by saying that he was satisfied. When only 10 nautical miles were left till the Karachi Airport, the plane was at an altitude of 7,000 feet instead of 3,000 feet. The report stated that air traffic control issued a second warning to the pilot to lower the plane's altitude.

However, the pilot responded again by stating that he was satisfied and would handle the situation, saying he was ready for landing.

READ | Pakistan PM Imran Khan condoles lives lost in PIA plane crash in Karachi; inquiry ordered

Earlier report by PCAA

As per the earlier report, prepared by Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), the plane's engines had scraped the runway thrice on the pilot's first attempt to land the plane. It caused friction and spark.

About the plane crash

The A320 Airbus was carrying 91 passengers and eight crew members from Lahore to Karachi on PK 8303 when it crashed in a residential area near Karachi Airport on Saturday. Of the 99 people aboard, 97 were killed and only two passengers survived. The aircraft wings during the crash landing hit the houses in the residential colony before crashing down, damaging at least 25 houses. Meanwhile, eleven people on the ground were injured. 

READ |Pakistan International airline plane crashes near Karachi airport with over 90 on board

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(with agency inputs)