A cargo flight departing Sharjah crashed into the Arabian Sea near Pakistan after reporting a navigation issue, killing all five crew members and prompting a major investigation.
WEBDESK – SHARJAH NEWS
A Pakistan-registered K2 Airways cargo aircraft operating from Sharjah International Airport to Karachi has crashed into the Arabian Sea, with all five crew members confirmed dead after the aircraft disappeared from radar following a reported navigation system malfunction.
According to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), the Boeing 737 cargo aircraft reported a navigational system issue at 9:18 p.m. Pakistan Standard Time (PST) while en route from Sharjah to Karachi. Air traffic controllers at the Karachi Area Control Center (ACC) immediately provided navigational assistance to the crew.
However, just three minutes later, at 9:21 p.m. PST, radar data showed the aircraft rapidly descending while making a sharp change in heading. Communication and radar contact were subsequently lost approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi, triggering fears that the aircraft had gone down in the Arabian Sea.
Pakistan’s Rescue Coordination Center was activated immediately, launching a large-scale search-and-rescue operation involving the Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force, and other maritime agencies. Naval vessels, aircraft and merchant ships were deployed to search the area where contact with the aircraft was lost.
Authorities have since confirmed that all five Pakistani crew members aboard the aircraft lost their lives. The victims have been identified as:
- Captain Muhammad Rizwan Idris
- First Officer Faisal Jatui
- Flight Engineer Muhammad Hamid
- Flight Engineer Muhammad Arif Siddiqui
- Loadmaster Muhammad Taufiq Khan
The aircraft was carrying cargo from Sharjah to Karachi. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, and aviation authorities are expected to analyze the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder once they are recovered.
The tragedy has drawn attention across the UAE, particularly in Sharjah, where the flight originated, with aviation authorities closely monitoring developments as Pakistan continues its investigation into one of the country’s most serious cargo aviation accidents in recent years.
