Two Pakistan International Airlines planes in emergency landing

4 September 2011

KARACHI — Two Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) ATR aircraft on scheduled commercial flights on Saturday had to make emergency landings after developing technical and engine faults.

A spokesman for the national carrier, however, claimed that on the first occasion PK501 bound for Turbat did not make an emergency landing at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport as reported by the media and it was a routine landing.

ATRs are manufactured in France and have been inducted to replace now obsolete Fokker fleet and are exclusively used for shorter trips with a maximum capacity of 40-45 seats. “The plane developed some technical fault and as a precautionary measure the pilot after informing the control tower decided to return to the airport for a check-up,” the PIA spokesman said.

There were 20 passengers and the crew members on board the flight PK 501. Neither anyone was hurt nor any damage was caused to the aircraft.

Later in the day another ATR on way from Punjgur to Karachi had to make emergency landing but all the passengers remained safe.

The flight PK-508 landed safely after one of its engines failed forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing on the advice of the control tower.

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