A K2 Airways cargo plane flying from Sharjah to Karachi has gone missing over the Arabian Sea, approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi, with five crew members on board.
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed that contact with the cargo flight was lost during its journey from Sharjah to Karachi.
According to the PAA, at 9:18 pm, the aircraft reported a malfunction in its navigation system, after which the Karachi Area Control Centre immediately provided navigational assistance.
The authority said that at 9:21 pm, the aircraft was seen rapidly losing altitude on radar before suddenly changing direction. Shortly afterward, both radar and communication contact were lost about 155 nautical miles west of Karachi.
PAA on Cargo Plane Goes Missing
The PAA stated that the Rescue Coordination Centre was activated immediately, and a search and rescue operation was launched at sea with the assistance of multiple agencies.
According to the PAA, five crew members were on board the missing cargo aircraft.
Earlier, sources said the aircraft had reported navigation problems during the flight, and the pilot requested a heading from Air Traffic Control (ATC). ATC instructed the aircraft to maintain its current heading.
The initial report stated that the aircraft suddenly turned to the right and began losing altitude rapidly, descending at a rate of approximately 15,000 feet per minute. Despite repeated calls from ATC, no response was received.
Sources further said the aircraft disappeared from radar about 155 nautical miles west of Karachi.
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According to sources, the missing aircraft belonged to K2 Airways. Cargo flight KTA-1732 had departed from Sharjah, and the aircraft involved was a Boeing 734, registered as AP-BOI.