K2: families demand deep-sea search

Seek independent investigation, safety safeguards

KARACHI:

The families of the five crew members who died in the crash of K2 Airways Flight KTA1732 on July 7 have demanded the urgent commencement of deep-sea search operations, recovery of the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, and complete transparency in the ongoing investigation.

At a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday, Yashib Ali Rizwan, son of Captain Rizwan Asad, along with sons of other deceased crew members, said they remain deeply concerned over the lack of meaningful engagement and communication from K2 Airways chief executive officer.

They described a prolonged period of uncertainty surrounding the recovery process, pending official formalities, technical questions about the aircraft, and the steps being taken to preserve and examine all relevant evidence.

The families called for the deep-sea search to be treated as a matter of the highest priority so that the flight data recorder (FDR), cockpit voice recorder (CVR), commonly known as the black box, and other critical evidence can be recovered.

They also requested that the aircraft's navigational systems and complete navigational history must be examined as part of the investigation, along with technical and maintenance records, any previous navigation-related issues, dispatch history and records of earlier flight operations.

They further urged full cooperation from the CEO and asked the government and competent authorities to take all lawful steps necessary to secure that cooperation, including his return and availability in Pakistan if required for the investigation.

A key demand was the urgent appointment of a senior state-level representative or focal person who can coordinate directly with the bereaved families and help resolve the official, administrative and procedural formalities that remain pending more than six weeks after the accident.

The families also requested independent verification of the aircraft and crew insurance arrangements and an examination of any financial pressures or circumstances that may have influenced operational or administrative decisions.

They called for a thorough review of all relevant operational, technical, maintenance, administrative and financial records so that the circumstances surrounding the flight can be understood in their full context.

The families stressed that their requests are not intended to attribute responsibility, negligence or causation to K2 Airways, its management, any individual, company or organisation. "Our sole objective is to ensure that all relevant facts are established through a complete, independent and evidence-based process," said Yashib.

They emphasised that the matter extends far beyond the five affected families.