The human mistake caused the May 2020 aircraft disaster, according to a report.
Discover the findings of the final investigation report on the Pakistan International Airlines's (PIA) Airbus A320 crash, highlighting human error as the primary cause. Learn about the lack of communication between pilots and air traffic controllers, administrative oversights, and more.
The long-awaited final investigation report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board sheds light on the tragic crash of Pakistan International Airlines’s (PIA) Airbus A320 nearly four years ago. According to Geo News, the report attributes "human error" as the primary cause of the devastating incident that claimed the lives of at least 99 individuals on May 22, 2020, making it one of Pakistan’s most catastrophic aviation disasters.
Among the victims were passengers, crew members, and two residents in the area where the plane crashed. Remarkably, only two individuals survived: the then-chief executive of the Bank of Punjab and a young engineer.
The report highlights a series of critical events leading to the crash. It indicates that the pilot received four warnings from the air traffic controller regarding the plane's altitude before landing. However, despite these warnings, the air traffic controller cleared the plane for landing on the fifth attempt. The investigation reveals a lack of communication and coordination between the pilots and air traffic controllers.
During the initial landing attempt, the report states that both pilots were not fully focused. Although the landing gears were deployed during the approach, one of the pilots retracted them just before touchdown. Consequently, the plane attempted to land without the landing gears deployed, causing the engines to strike the runway and ignite flames. Shockingly, the air traffic controller failed to alert the pilots about the engine strike and ensuing fire.
The report further elucidates that both engines sustained damage, leading to the failure of the lubricant oil supply system. As a result, both engines ceased functioning simultaneously. Additionally, the loss of engine power resulted in the interruption of data recording during the plane's final moments.
Administrative responsibilities for the accident are attributed to both PIA and the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority. The report criticizes the lack of clear regulations regarding pilots flying while fasting during Ramadan. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of post-flight data analysis to identify and rectify pilot errors and procedural shortcomings.
On May 22, 2020, PIA flight PK 8303 departed from Lahore bound for Karachi. The flight ended tragically, claiming the lives of 97 individuals onboard and two residents on the ground in Karachi's Model Town area.
