Pakistan Cargo Plane With Five Crew On Board Goes Missing After Reporting Navigation Failure

A Pakistan-registered Boeing 737 cargo aircraft carrying five crew members reportedly went missing on Tuesday night after reporting a navigation system malfunction while flying to Karachi from Sharjah, prompting a large-scale search-and-rescue operation.

The aircraft, operated by K2 Airways, lost contact with air traffic control minutes after reporting technical difficulties, reports citing Pakistan aviation authorities said.

Plane loses contact after reporting technical problem

According to the Pakistan Airports Authority, the aircraft reported a navigation system issue at 9.18 pm Pakistan Standard Time (16:18 GMT) while en route to Karachi.

Air traffic controllers attempted to guide the crew after receiving the distress report. However, communication was lost approximately three minutes later after radar indicated the aircraft was descending rapidly.

Authorities said the aircraft was about 287 kilometres west of Karachi when contact was lost, noted the reports.

Flight data suggests possible sea crash

Preliminary flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 suggests the 27-year-old converted Boeing 737 freighter may have crashed into the Arabian Sea southwest of Karachi following a series of unusual altitude changes.

According to the tracking data, the aircraft descended about 5,000 feet in less than a minute, climbed approximately 6,000 feet within 30 seconds, and then entered a steep final descent from 36,550 feet.

The final transmitted position showed the aircraft at 1,100 feet above sea level, with a reported descent rate of 22,400 feet per minute, an unusually steep rate of descent.

Search operation launched

The Pakistan Airports Authority reportedly said multiple agencies had launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation to locate the missing aircraft and its crew.

K2 Airways said it was cooperating fully with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and other government agencies.

"We continue to pray earnestly for the safety of our colleagues," the airline said in a statement posted on Facebook.

Aircraft entered K2 fleet last year

The missing aircraft belongs to Boeing's long-running 737 family and is two generations older than the 737 MAX.

It is the only aircraft operated by K2 Airways and entered service with the carrier in 2024, as per reports.

Flight-tracking data indicates the aircraft had not operated since June 28, before undertaking Tuesday's flight.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the fate of the aircraft or the five crew members, and the cause of the incident remains under investigation.