It was unknown how many people on the ground were hurt as the
The pilot was heard transmitting a mayday to the tower shortly before the crash of Flight 8303, which was flying from
Video on social media appeared to show the jet flying low with flames shooting from one of its engines.
The plane went down about
As darkness fell, crews worked under floodlights, and a portable morgue was set up. The Sindh provincial health department said it had recovered 57 bodies, while PIA chairman
Pakistan’s civil aviation authority said the plane had 91 passengers and a crew of seven. The A320 can carry up to 180 passengers, depending on how its cabin is configured.
At least two people aboard survived, according to the health department, revising an earlier statement that three were alive.
Local TV stations showed video of a man on a stretcher they identified as
The Sindh provincial government press department later distributed a photo depicting a second survivor identified as
At least three people on the ground were injured.
Malik announced an investigation into the crash, adding that the aircraft was in good working order.
Southern Sindh province, of which
A transmission of the pilot's final exchange with air traffic control, posted on the website LiveATC.net, indicated he had failed to land and was circling to make another attempt.
“We are proceeding direct, sir — we have lost engine,” a pilot said.
“Confirm your attempt on belly,” the air traffic controller said, offering a runway.
“Sir, mayday, mayday, mayday, mayday
In one of the radio communications, at least one exchange from the flight sounded like a warning alarm was sounding in the cockpit.
A resident, Abdul Rahman, said he saw the jet circle at least three times, appearing to try to land before it crashed.
Prime Minister
Science Minister
Most of the passengers were heading home to celebrate Eid-al Fitr, he said.
“What is most unfortunate and sad is whole families have died, whole families who were travelling together for the Eid holiday,” he said in a telephone interview in the capital of
The flight from the northeastern city of
Airworthiness documents showed the plane last received a government check on
Ownership records for the Airbus A320 showed
Airbus said the plane had logged 47,100 flight hours and 25,860 flights as of Friday. The plane had two CFM56-5B4 engines.
Airbus said it would provide technical assistance to investigators in
“We at Airbus are deeply saddened by the tragic news of flight #PK8303," tweeted Executive Director
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission., source