Sharjah-Karachi Cargo Plane Goes Missing

A Pakistan-registered K2 Airways Boeing 737 cargo aircraft disappeared from radar on Tuesday night after reporting a navigational system malfunction while flying from Sharjah to Karachi, prompting authorities to launch a large-scale search and rescue operation.

According to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), the cargo flight reported a navigational system problem at 9:18pm Pakistan Standard Time (PST) as it approached Pakistani airspace. The Karachi Area Control Centre (ACC) immediately provided navigational assistance to the aircraft.

Three minutes later, at 9:21pm PST, air traffic controllers observed the aircraft making a rapid descent and an abrupt change in heading on radar. Shortly afterwards, both radar contact and radio communication were lost approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi.

Following the incident, the Rescue Coordination Centre was activated and a coordinated search and rescue operation was launched at sea with the participation of multiple agencies to locate the missing aircraft.

Officials said the aircraft was carrying five crew members. Their condition remains unknown.

Authorities said search operations are ongoing, while the reported navigational system malfunction and the subsequent loss of contact are under investigation.