ATR team to arrive in Islamabad to probe PK-661 crash

Inquiry report likely to be completed in three weeks

A group of experts from the France-based ATR aircraft manufacturer are set to arrive in Islamabad within the next 24 hours to assist in investigation of the PK-661 plane crash, Express News reported.

The team will work jointly with Pakistan's Safety Investigation Board (SIB) to ascertain the cause of Wednesday's crash. The black box and voice recorder of the aircraft will also be sent to France early next week to begin probe. The French embassy has issued directives to facilitate travel and other arrangements of the experts in connection with the investigation.



Meanwhile, sources said inquiry of the incident could take up to three weeks after data from the black box and the recorder is received.

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane carrying 48 people, which was en route to Islamabad from the northern city of Chitral crashed near Abbottabad this week.

Flight PK-661 crashed into a hillside after one of its two turboprop engines failed shortly after take-off, and burst into flames.

Among those on board was Junaid Jamshed, a former pop star turned evangelical Muslim.



PIA chairman Azam Saigol said the nine-year-old plane was deemed to be “technically sound” when it last underwent a detailed inspection in October.

Three foreigners were among the dead, with Austria’s foreign ministry later confirming two of its nationals were killed and Chinese state media saying one of its nationals was also among the victims.