KARACHI (MNN); The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Wednesday confirmed that the wreckage of K2 Airways’ Boeing 737 cargo aircraft, which went missing over the Arabian Sea on Tuesday night, has been located after an extensive 12-hour search and rescue operation conducted by the Pakistan Navy (PN) and the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA).
According to the PAA, the aircraft wreckage was recovered approximately 53 nautical miles south of Ormara. The operation involved multiple naval ships, aircraft and other sea- and air-borne assets deployed to locate the missing cargo plane.
Authorities said the bodies of the five crew members have not yet been recovered, while search and rescue efforts remain underway. Further details will be released as the operation progresses.
The K2 Airways Boeing 737-400 cargo aircraft disappeared from radar late Tuesday while flying from Sharjah to Karachi, around 287 kilometres west of Karachi over the Arabian Sea.
Earlier reports indicated that the pilot had informed Karachi Area Control Centre of a navigation system malfunction and requested assistance while approaching Pakistani airspace.
The PAA stated that the aircraft reported the technical issue at 9:18pm and was immediately provided navigational guidance. However, at approximately 9:21pm, radar showed the aircraft rapidly losing altitude and making a sharp change in direction before both radar and communication links were lost.
Following the incident, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to utilise all available resources to intensify search and rescue operations. He also expressed heartfelt sympathies to the families of the five crew members.
President Asif Ali Zardari also voiced concern over the tragedy, expressing hope for the successful recovery of the crew while extending condolences and solidarity with their families during this difficult time.
According to FlightRadar data, the aircraft, registered as AP-BOI, was a Boeing 737-4M0(BDSF) that joined K2 Airways in 2024. Originally delivered to Aeroflot as a passenger aircraft in 1999, it later served Garuda Indonesia before being converted into a freighter in 2012. The aircraft subsequently operated with TNT Airways and ASL Airlines before entering service with the Karachi-based private carrier.
