ISLAMABAD – A PIA plane carrying 47 people suffered an engine failure before crashing near Havelian, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) revealed on Wednesday.
According to the secretary civil aviation, in light of the report, certain parts have been sent to France for further investigation. The aircraft’s engine has been sent to Canada for further investigation as well.
The cockpit recording has also been retrieved from the black box, the secretary confirmed.
Investigators will try to determine why the aircraft’s engine failed and a final report will be received within 3 months, the secretary added.
According to a private TV channel, the plane had a questionable history and was not given clearance by the engineers and was flown under the duress of Director Flight Operation.
“The engineers did not give clearance for the plane but the Director Flight Operation coerced the staff to take the flight for Islamabad,” the sources revealed.
Secretary Aviation Irfan Ilahi also confirmed that the ATR-42 plane suffered engine problems.
“It is premature to say anything at the moment, but we know that the aircraft had engine problems,” he said.
On condition of anonymity, pilots had told a private TV channel that the ill-fated PIA ATR tail registration AP-BHO had previous complaints of engine flameout.
CAA sources had also confirmed that the pilot of flight PK-661 sent a mayday call to the control tower shortly before the aviation staff on ground lost communication with the plane.
