Rescue workers search for survivors in the wreckage. PHOTO: AFP
An Airblue flight flying from Karachi to Islamabad crashed into the Margalla Hills on Wednesday morning killing all of 152 passengers on board.
The plane lost contact with the control tower shortly before the crash which occurred amid thick fog and heavy rainfall in Islamabad. The plane caught fire after the crash which severely hindered relief efforts.
It is reported that the pilot was instructed to perform a go around due to traffic on the runway, however due to severe weather in the city, very low visibility caused the crash.
Other sources put a fuel tank explosion as the reason for the crash.
The exact reason for the crash has not yet been determined.
An investigation into the air crash is underway, while Prime Minister Gilani has ordered the Defence Ministry to conduct an inquiry into the matter.
Meanwhile, the CAA has recovered the blackbox from the blast site, which it is hoped will help determine the cause of the crash.
DNA tests to identify bodies
Pakistani health officials have said they would have to use DNA tests to identify charred bodies plucked from the wreckage.
“Most of the dead bodies are in pieces, only body parts, some of them badly burnt… these can only be identified through DNA,” Mahmood Jamal, chief of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) told reporters.
Officials said rescue workers had collected body parts and pieces of charred flesh into bags.
“Some 300 body bags, 40 blankets and 10 bundles of rope have been air dropped at the crash site,” said the national disaster management authority.
End of live updates.
4:40pm
You can view pictures of the incident here.
4:17pm
Twitter updates:
@Abdussalam123 2 IBA students along with six university students were on-board the Airblue flight to attend a youth parliament session #airblue #pakistan
@khudipk We at Khudi are shocked and saddened to hear that 6 members of the Pakistan Youth Parliament were onboard Airblue…http://fb.me/BBzq91Lv
3:54pm
No survivors in the plane crash says Rehman Malik.
3:35pm
Bad weather and wind conditions did not allow the plane to land by the regular route. Qamar Zaman Kaira says we should wait for inquiry and not rely on speculations. Kaira calls for patience.
The plane had its landing gear down at the time of the crash according to the Spokesman of the CAA.
3:21pm
According to AFP, rescue workers have recovered the bodies of more than 100 people.
One of the youth parliamentarians going to attend the Youth Parliament session is also reported dead. No survivors have been brought to the hospitals and there no survivors at the crash site according to Express 24/7 reporter Sabur Ali Syed.
3:05pm
Information desks have been set up at Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi airports and families of the victims can contact Crisis Management Cell at 051-9211223-4.
Pakistan Army has set up rescue camps near the crash site
2:52pm
Meekal Ahmed, Columnist for The Express Tribune writes:
May I try and put some perspective on this for those above who don’t seem to know much about aviation but are writing anyway:
If you are using runway 12 as it seems (the Murree road side) there is no ILS. The ILS is on runway 30 (the opposite side). So the procedure (which I never thought was safe) is you fly the ILS to 30 and then you break off and turn right and fly parallel to the Margalla hills and then turn back in and land on 12. It’s not a circle but more of a race-track pattern.
You may ask why not have the aircraft turn left rather than right towards the Margalla Hills. The reason is that on the left of runway 30 is Dhamial Air Base, GHQ and so on and as far as I remember that is all so-called “Restricted” airspace. You cannot fly over it.
This is CFIT (Controlled Flight Into Terrain) not as stated above.
Final point, when you are flying parallel to the Margalla Hills, you are required to keep the airport on your left in sight. So I can visualize the captain in the left seat looking left. Maybe the F/O was flying and craning his neck too. They just seem to have drifted into the Margalla Hills — perhaps because of high winds. They lost what is called “Situational Awareness”. Basically they did not know where they were.
May those who perished rest in eternal peace.
2:45pm
Rescue workers have recovered the remains of more than 80 people and the remains are being airlifted, a senior police official told AFP.
2:42pm
Eyewitness accounts:
“I saw a big ball of smoke and fire everywhere with big pieces of aircraft rolling down the hill,” said police official Haji Taj Gul.
“The plane was flying very low. Then we heard a loud noise,” Wajih-ur Rehman, a resident of E-7 told AFP.
“The plane had lost balance, and then we saw it going down,” Saqlain Altaf, an Islamabad resident who was on a family outing in the Margalla Hills, told ARY News
“I saw it pass over my house and then there was a very loud explosion” – Anjum Rahman, Express 24/7
2:38pm
According to sources, six university students were on-board the Airblue flight to attend a youth parliament session in Islamabad.
2:32pm
Rescue officials confirm that the death toll now stands at 45. Navy Commander Raja Jamil who is heading rescue efforts added that there are no survivors from the site area his team has covered. He said weather conditions are hampering rescue efforts via helicopter.
2:19pm
One body reaches PIMs Hospital. Ambulance hampered from entering hospital premises due to crowds of people on location.
Plane’s wreckage spread over 400 metres across the Margalla Hills.
2:15pm
Express 24/7 reporter Sabur Ali Syed reports from the crash site:
20 dead bodies confirmed, including two women and a child not more than 15 years old.
Express team reached the crash site on foot. Citizens are complaining that the helicopter rescue service has not been efficient.
Smoke is still rising from the crash site.
01:55pm
Airblue Chairperson says no flight has been delayed and Airblue is refunding passengers who wish to cancel their reservations.
Rehman Malik says a five member CAA team will be investigating the cause behind the crash.
01:47pm
Interior Minister Rehman Malik says:
The bodies of the victims will be taken to the hospital. Some may need identification. The plane was redirected to land from the Pindi Muree road. It came down to 2600 and went back to 3000. Only five survivors have been confirmed so far. Twelve passengers had failed to show up for the flight.
01:38pm
PAF is working on decoding the black box. Raheel Ahmed, GM of Airblue says the Airblue plane that crashed was relatively new and was only eight to 10 years old.
01:32pm
A list of past plane crashes by Pakistani airlines is available here: Plane crash history with death toll.
The list indicates that in most past cases of plane crashes there are very few survivors.
Airblue officials say the plane had no technical faults.
01:25pm
Reports indicate that the pilot was aged 65.
Chairman NDMA says the plane hit a vertical 90 degree cliff head on which made the rescue operations very difficult. He further said it will take two days to remove the dead bodies and wreckage. Rescue efforts have been hampered by the 90 degree angle of the cliff.
01:13pm
Chairman CDA, Imtiaz Inayat says around five to six people have been rescued. He says rescue operation are in full swing and the authorities have enough equipment for the rescue operations.
01:08pm
Express 24/7 host Anjum Rehman and an eyewitness says that the plane was flying very low and there was no fire in the fuel tank three minutes before the crash. Conflicting reports have been received of a fire in the fuel tank of the airplane.
No surviors or bodies have so far reached the hospitals.
01:02pm
Seven helicopters are carrying out rescue operations at the site.
12:45pm
The CAA has said the scheduled Flight was ABQ-202, KHI-ISB, reportedly an Airbus A321. The name of the captain of the aircraft is stated as Pervez Iqbal Choudhry.
12:32pm
Express 24/7 reporter Sabur Ali Syed reports:
The crash site is a national park, and it is presumed that the plane crashed into a steep ridge in the hills.
Eyewitnesses say the plane was flying at an extremely low altitude. They say they have never seen a plane flying on this particular route.
GM Marketing, Airblue Raheel Ahmed says the families of those on the Airblue flight will be transported to the capital via Airblue.
12:28pm
Four dead bodies have been identified as males and four females. According to Rescure 1122 the survivors and bodies are on their way
Express 24/7 reporter Sabur Ali Syed reports:
Dead bodies are charred beyond recognition.
Citizens complain that two hours have passed and helicopter services have not been bought in.
Families of those who were on board have reached the hospital and some have also attempted reaching the Margall hills crash site.
12:20pm
Twenty bodies have been recovered from the wreckage. No survivors or bodies have reached Pims hospital although it has been more than one and a half hour, according to Express 24/7 reporter Sabur Ali Syed.
Two days have been set for the rescue and clean up operations.
Emergency has been declared in the hospitals and doctors have been called in for duty.
12:06pm
There were five children and two infants on board according to latest details released by CAA.
A Somalian diplomat was reportedly also on board the Airblue flight.
11:59am
The ISPR has announced that an infantry battalion and three helicopters are engaged in rescue operations.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said the black box will help determine the real cause of the crash. The Chairman of Airblue has said an investigation is being carried out into the reason behind the crash.
11:50am
The Civil Aviation Spokesperson has said all efforts are being made to search for survivors.
11:44am
Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that the entire area is being searched for survivors and the list of passengers has been released.
This is feared to be the biggest disaster in Pakistan’s aviation history. The last crash happened in 2006, when a Fokker plane crashed into a wheat field near Multan, killing all 41 passengers and 4 crew members on board.
11:32am
Eight bodies including that of the pilot have been recovered from the rubble. Interior Minister Rehman Malik has informed that five survivors have been pulled out of the wreckage. There are reports of over 40 injured survivors being transported to hospitals. The survivors have been air lifted and are being transported to hospitals.
11:25am
Six bodies including that of the pilot have been recovered.
Some reports indicate that the plane exploded in the air due to a problem in its fuel tank.
11:20am
Families of victims have been requested to contact the Crisis Management Cell at 051-9211223-4.
There are reports of several casualties, but the exact death toll is still unknown.
The DIG Operations has been asked to supervise rescue efforts.
11:12am
There were 159 passengers and crew on board.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has ordered the Defence Ministry to hold an inquiry. The flight was asked to circle above the airport and delay landing as the Islamabad airport was busy.
11:08am
The flight was asked to delay landing at the Islamabad airport as the airport was busy. The plane then came down near Margalla Hills.
Blaze and heavy fog are hindering rescue efforts.
10:59am
NDMA has sought the help of the army for rescue operations.
Family members of passengers have gathered at the Islamabad airport waiting for some news about their dear ones.
10:52am
Rescue workers have recovered at least one dead body.
Foot rescue workers have reached the area and are carrying out operations. Rescue workers are facing difficult because site is not easily accessible and the weather is also difficult.
10:49am
Three rescue helicopters have reached the site of the crash.
The plane was carrying 146 passengers and six crew members.
10:45am
Hospitals in Islamabad have been put on high alert. The airplane was a private Airblue plane.
10:36am
Police and rescue teams have reached the site of the crash. Helicopters seen reaching the area.
10:20am
Police and rescue teams facing difficulty in reaching the site of the crash.
Thick clouds of smoke were witnessed rising from the Margalla Hills.
Oh my God!!!! May Allah save them all!! :( why are there so many deaths these days? :'(Recommend
God help the people on board!Recommend
Name of captain of the aircraft is stated as Pervez Iqbal Choudhry.Recommend
This is tragic. I hope we get survivors. May Allah be with them. Recommend
Black dayRecommend
v are praying for the life of our beloved who were on board…….May GOD save them……….Recommend
I feel very bad today for the incident. May Allah give courage to their families.Recommend
again a very sad news..Recommend
Has Air Blue released the passenger names list yet??Recommend
CAA is responsible for the crash. The delay in the landing resulted in the crashRecommend
These days due to limited visisbilty,Commercial Airlines are landing while flying extremely low which might have caused this tragedy.
While I am not a technical person but to me it occurs that Safety Standards are not being observed.Recommend
why would they allow the plane to take off from karachi despite the waether forcast of heavy rainfall and fog??? :@Recommend
I am employee of an International Airline in Pakistan. i want to share one incident that our airline pilot found a little crack on deck window, He asked to replace it, the engineesr of PIA arrive on board and ask the AIrport manager , how long is the flight he replied 5 hours , The engineer ask the Flight manager no problem you can fly… our local airline fly their planes on minimum safety plansRecommend
Pak CAA states it is #Airblue scheduled Flight ABQ-202, KHI-ISB, reportedly an Airbus A319-112
Please udpate your report.Recommend
devastating,horribleRecommend
sad and shocking news,condolences for for the bereaved persons. Recommend
Well i feel that Tribune (Express) is one of the best these days; with lots of different news in its own sections which makes the reader go deeper and deeper. Recommend
Asalam o Alaikum,
Many have lost their loved ones are many are in hope that their loved ones are amongst those who survived. It is only those whose loved ones were on the plane know what they are going through. One of my relatives was also on the plane. My request to all of you who read this is.. Please make dua for maghfirat for all those who have passed away now and before and at the same time so that these who have passed away get ajar and sadqah jariah.. Please take lesson.. “life is short and can end anytime without knowing” prepare for your akhirat, make tauba, offer your prayers. Bring that change in your lives that that satan keeps on wanting you to delay until you hve passed away. Please change…
My condolences to everyone who has suffered. Please have sabr and offer 2 Rakat Salat that the Prophet (SAW) taught us to do when in trouble. Allah (swt) will put your hearts to ease and this tough time will pass easy…
Regards
MeRecommend
May the departed souls rest in peace. Despite the comments of some people here, air safety standards in Pakistan are above average as there have been only six or seven major crashes, which we call hull loss in aviation, since 1947, and even some of them happened outside Pakistan, in Kathmandu, Cairo etc.
It appears to be pilot error in this particular flight as planes don’t generally fly over the Margalla hills at low attitudes. He took the Control Flight Over Terrain (CFOT) approach and must have made some errors that resulted in this crash. A 321 is a new plane with good navigation though so this is quite an extraordinary crash.Recommend
http://www.karachiairport.com.pk/FSArrivalInternationalFormattedNew.asp
there is no record of the fight landing in karachi. it was probably a charter flight – air blue needs to come out and say thisRecommend
Dear All
A very sad incident feel very sorry. It was the negligence of CAA
Regards
Khalid UsmanRecommend
Hira Shah
Oh my God!!!! May Allah save them all!! :( why are there so many deaths these days? :’(
In response to your question plz read todays column of Mr Orya Maqbool jan in Daily express. u will get the answer.God bless all.Recommend
Just heard the news… Very very tragic. Recommend
salam
allah tmam halak hony walo k ghar walo ko sabar ata kere
r zakhmio ko jald sehtiab kery ameen
khurramRecommend
The aircraft was on second attempt to land beyond the minimas. his first approach was a ‘Go Around’, the pilot reference to execution of missed approach to landing when on a limited precision approach to the airport he must have some visual refernce to the runway, beyond a lot of physics and math, in order to proceed. Islamabad instrument approach system called the ILS doesnt allow planes to descend beyond 300 feet if no visual reference is made to normal landing runway in north westerly direction called Runway 30. To avoid unfavorable winds and skuzzy weather, however, planes these days were usingthe opposite direction runway called Runway 12 and that placed approach to the runway from margalla hill side the only choice to large aircraft. Without reverse track sensing equipment, it can get tricky, but this airplane was perhaps equipped with everything like GPS aided terrain recognition and proximity warning that would have alerted the pilots to high ground. It even had enough fuel to fly back to karachi an option the pilots shuold have taken than to fall to the get-there-itus phenomenon, thats when pilots feel they can make it work. may be it was the radar controllers that put the plane on minimum vectoring when its them that guide planes instead of pilots making turning decisions. or may be the pilots were low enuogh for a contact approach (visually identifying ground while progressing) inadvertantly intercepted by a sudden cloud, only the investigation will tell what really happened. Nothing should be said in the hindsight. as a pilot, i have not taken a chance, especially when i had children with me. i feel thats what must be done, to get out of there and fly to safety and come some other time. i never expect a pilot with the kind of experience Air Blue Pilots have to blunder into idiocy. there are quite a few friends i have who call the Air Blue ‘Scare Blue’, based on their experiences with the airline has onducted itself. I flew out of Islamabad only yesterday and knew it instantly I had to be extremely careful. Recommend
Extremely sad day…Recommend
INNA LILLAAHI WA INNAA ILAHI RAAJI’OON (Truly. to ALLAH we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.)
A terrible incident! I just cant get over the shock. Exactly a month ago I flew on the same flight from Karachi to Islamabad. The crew were so very helpful and considerate. I just cant get the faces of the air-hostesses out of my mind!
I just pray that ALLAH grants speedy recovery to the injured and rest the souls of the departed in peace and at the same time give courage to the families/relatives of all those who passed way in this tragic incident to bear this loss with equanimity. Recommend
My condolences to the grieving families.
One may blame bad weather, negligence of crew, or poor maintenance of the aircraft but nothing could compensate for the loss of lives in this tragic incident.Recommend
Does anyone know the name of the Pilot and Co-Pilot??Recommend
Does anyone know the names of the Pilot and Co-Pilot??Recommend
Hi,
If any body know regarding names of survivor do let me know, I want to know about one of my friend travelling in this plane.
RegardsRecommend
Please report survivors if anyone get to know their identification. Recommend
This is very tragic.
May I try and put some perspective on this for those above who don’t seem to know much about aviation but are writing anyway.
If you are using runway 12 as it seems (the Murree road side) there is no ILS. The ILS is on runway 30 (the opposite side). So the procedure (which I never thought was safe) is you fly the ILS to 30 and then you break off and turn right and fly parallel to the Margalla hills and then turn back in and land on 12. It’s not a circle but more of a race-track pattern.
You may ask why not have the aircraft turn left rather than right towards the Margalla Hills. The reason is that on the left of runway 30 is Dhamial Air Base, GHQ and so on and as far as I remember that is all so-called “Restricted” airspace. You cannot fly over it.
This is CFIT (Controlled Flight Into Terrain) not as stated above.
Final point, when you are flying parallel to the Margalla Hills, you are required to keep the airport on your left in sight. So I can visualize the captain in the left seat looking left. Maybe the F/O was flying and craning his neck too. They just seem to have drifted into the Margalla Hills — perhaps because of high winds. They lost what is called “Situational Awareness”. Basically they did not know where they were.
May those who perished rest in eternal peace. Recommend
Participants of the Youth Parliament were traveling on this flight. My friend Shane Hussain was also suppose to take this flight but he dint. Rest of his team members are on board. We pray they and all others are safe. Recommend
The aircraft was on second attempt to land beyond the minimas. his first approach was a ‘Go Around’, the pilot reference to execution of missed approach to landing when on a limited precision approach to the airport he must have some visual refernce to the runway, beyond a lot of physics and math, in order to proceed. Islamabad instrument approach system called the ILS doesnt allow planes to descend beyond 300 feet if no visual reference is made to normal landing runway in north westerly direction called Runway 30. To avoid unfavorable winds and skuzzy weather, however, planes these days were usingthe opposite direction runway called Runway 12 and that placed approach to the runway from margalla hill side the only choice to large aircraft. Without reverse track sensing equipment, it can get tricky, but this airplane was perhaps equipped with everything like GPS aided terrain recognition and proximity warning that would have alerted the pilots to high ground. It even had enough fuel to fly back to karachi an option the pilots shuold have taken than to fall to the get-there-itus phenomenon, thats when pilots feel they can make it work. may be it was the radar controllers that put the plane on minimum vectoring when its them that guide planes instead of pilots making turning decisions. or may be the pilots were low enuogh for a contact approach (visually identifying ground while progressing) inadvertantly intercepted by a sudden cloud, only the investigation will tell what really happened. Nothing should be said in the hindsight. as a pilot, i have not taken a chance, especially when i had children with me. i feel thats what must be done, to get out of there and fly to safety and come some other time. i never expect a pilot with the kind of experience Air Blue Pilots have to blunder into idiocy. there are quite a few friends i have who call the Air Blue ‘Scare Blue’, based on their experiences with the manner in which the airline has conducted itself. I flew out of Islamabad only yesterday and knew it instantly I had to be extremely careful. Recommend
:( no words can express how sad it is…Recommend
very sad for all muslims coz the incident is very heartbreak so Allah help them all family.Recommend
They must have known minutes before crash that they were going to die. It’s terrible! Recommend
INNALILAH HAY WA INNAILLAHAY RAGEOHNRecommend
Dear Readers.
Its a great loss for all those whose dear ones were on board however, I feel like the pilot is a hero. The plane reached the destination airport in time however due to busy airport its landing was delayed.This is just an assumption and co relation of events that happened so it may not be the final version. Since the plane was flying and waiting for clear to land signal . A technical fault/failure must have been detected and then the pilot must have thought that It would be more catastrophic if the plane gets crashed on the city area and then he must have directed the plane to some area where there is little or no housing or living … Obviously the place of plane crash .i.e Daman a Koh was the most closer and feasible place and he in order to save lives on ground diverted the plane to the site where crash occurred. This way atleast many lives on ground were saved and even the crash history is witness that there has been very few incidents in which any one on board have survived. 5 people atleast survived. Who will be able to tell the true version and also the black box…. Certainly there was a technical failure thats why the plane lost contact with the tower as well …. eye witness say they saw the plane flying unstable and that was never an air field so My conclusion is that Smart decision of Pilot saved a huge loss on ground.
Rest Allah knows better.
my suggestion is that there should be emergency runways concept incorporated in Air line and Aviation Sector and moreover Pilots should be trained on Precision Landing System that is manual landing rather than training them to rely on Instrument Landing System or Auto Pilot Technology after all technology is human’s creation and it can cetainly have errors..
May the departed souls rest in Jannah
and the families who lost their dear ones may have patience to bear this irrepairable loss. Ameen Plz recite Surah Fateha and Surah Ikhlas for all of the people who lost their lives…
Thanks for reading
Allah HafizRecommend
may God gives him in peaceRecommend
A very sad day. May Allah give the families strength to bear their loss . Ameen Recommend
sad incident i hope there are maximum survivorsRecommend
very bad news may Allah save to allRecommend
itS S.SHAH
ITS TOTLAY ALLAHS WILL BUT THIS TIME WE CAN PRAY FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO INJURED IN THIS INCIDENT OR PASSED AWAY,
ALLAH HELP US.
REGARDS,
S.SHAHRecommend
why would they allow the plane to take off from karachi despite the waether forcast of heavy rainfall and fog?Recommend
real sad…my condolences to the grieved families…Recommend
This accident is extremely serious, I am thinking about all the victims. May GOD Bless them all and Rest there souls in Peace.. Amen Recommend
Great Tragedy . Pray for them by heartRecommend
Plz show the crew names.Recommend
pray for all passengersRecommend
O GOD SAVE THEM ALLRecommend
for those who departd,…REST IN PEACE 4ever,
this is a tragic and awful incident, dampening the stature of pkaistani air flight safety, and left serious questioning from allaround theworld too,… dnt forgot thiswas a connecting flight from turkey,…innah lillahe wa innah ileha rajiun…Recommend
why would they allow the plane to take off from karachi despite the weather forecast of heavy rainfall and fog?Recommend
Assalam O Alaikum All,
It indeed is a tragedy. May their souls rest in peace.I lost one of my friends Umer Khan. He was going to visit his ailing mother. He was a fresh graduate from IBA. One of my juniors at IBA Owais Bin Laiq and from KU Bilal Jamai also lost their lives. These young energetic souls were the future of Pakistan. Do remember all of the deceased in your prayers.Recommend
Extremly Sad………..
Its totally a technical fault. its the totally negligency of CAA. CAA should acceipt it.
Shafique Ch. IsbRecommend
dear all its really a tragic and devastatjng incident in the history.i pray for all who became the victim in this crash,
‘ ‘” may their soul rest in piece ”
‘ATIF ALI AMIRRecommend
does anyone know the names of any of the survivors?Recommend
Inna Lilaah e Wa Inna Elaihe Raajioon……..May ALLAH (S.W.T) forgive the departed Muslim souls and bless them with Jannat ul Firdous and may ALLAH bless with Sabr e Jameel to the relatives of departed ones.
Life is short and there’s a queue, every 1 has to go on his/her own turn. May ALLAH (S.W.T) give all of us Hidayah to to prepare for the eternal life which is much more important. (Aameen)Recommend
please any one knows the cabin crew names ????
is there is any cabin crew shazeena ?Recommend
plz
prayer for all those people who onboared.Recommend
Sadly, an accident waiting to happen.
Islamabad is trickey because of the high ground nearby. Normally you would use the ILS 30 procedure which is pretty straightforward. But with winds out of the east on a heading of 090 degrees at about 16 kts (I got the weather from an aviation forum), he had to use the opposite runway 12. He had to circle to land. In low monsoon clouds the Margalla Hills were most likely obscured. But in a circle to land approach such as this you need to stay within an ARC drawn from the airport. I don’t know what the distance of the arc is but it is obviously drawn in a manner to keep planes a safe distance from the Margall Hills. Why he went beyond/ouside the arc we don’t know. He must have got a computer-generated “TERRAIN” warning but it must have been too late.
Anyway, no one here should hold their breath. The cause of the accident as would be crystal clear from the black boxes (CVR and DFDR) will be hushed up. As I noted here some time ago, Pakistan has NEVER published any air accident report. Never. So we will all spread rumors and speculate and never know the truth.Recommend
INNA LILLAAHI WA INNAA ILAHI RAAJI’OON..Recommend
its really a big loss for all of us. we have no words to speak. Recommend
crew names are umme habiba , javeria , hina usman, naheed bhatti.Recommend
From the story it appears that the plane had come down for landing at 2000 feet, then it was told to come around from the other direction of Muree.
The pilot aborted landing (Wheels are out?) and turned toward the hills which are 3000- 3500 feet in Height.
The airbus is fly by wire aircraft and will not respond to emergency maneuvers . It gained height of 400 feet but was not enough to fly over the hills.
From impact pictures it hit AT 70 degree and slid on rocky ground before hitting the mountain , then bursting and catching fire.
The military helicopters caused winds and further spread the flames.Recommend
it is very big mistic of air blu supervision athhorty flight should be cancle in tody weather,codions, and fligh piolot was also over age his age was 65 years it is a also point,Recommend
To Allah we all belong, and to Him is our return. Every soul must taste death. The Air blue crash amid poor weather, thick fog and heavy rainfall is indeed very traic and heart-rending. It’s painful and heart-breaking to listen that there are no survivors. All the 152 people on board are no more with us. May their soul rest in peace! May Allah give their bereaved families fortitude to bear this colossal loss.
The plane crssh must be properly and objectively investigated and its findings must be known to the public, after it’s national tragedy. Every Pakistani is aggrieved today. The pain is unbearable and beyond words. Let’s pray for the departed souls and sympathise with the bereaved families in this time of great pain and trial.Recommend
It’s a tragic incident and probably the worst in Pakistan’s aviation history. I fail to understand when the pilot was not given clerance for landing why did he go for it?
Unfortunately many people besides the deceased passengers have to suffer due to this horrific accident. May Allah give the families patience to bear this loss.Recommend
To Allah we all belong and to Him is our return. Every soul must taste death. The incident of Air Blue plane crashing into the Margala hills in Islamabad amid poor weather, thick fog and heavy rainfall is indeed very tragic and heart-rending. It is painful to listen that there are no survivors. All the people on the board are no more with us. May their soul rest in peace! May Allah give their bereaved families fortitude and courage to bear this colossal loss.
The plane crash must be properly and objectively investiaged and its findings must be made to Public after all it’s unprecedented incident of plane crash in Pakistan and it’s huge national tragedy as well. Let’s pray for the departed soul and sympathise with their relatives and their families.Recommend
Pakistan is in danger…….suicide attacks, political crisis, economy crashing, cyclones, rainstorms, balochistan independence movement, two floods in just one year in balochistan, karachi target killing and now plane crash…. 2010 a dangerous year for us.. Recommend
May Allah rest their souls in piece and bless them. But on the other hand I am pointing out a big flaw in our disaster management system or cell. That is, whenever we have a situaion of any disaster or an incident our disaster management cell in unbable to manage that even it is on a small scale. We always need the help of Pakistan army and we engage them in these sort of work.
Our disaster management cell has been seen fail in any sort of incident in the country and dont know what the hell they are doing and playing with the money and positions they have. We dont have any proper system to act properly and in short time. Recommend
real sad…my condolences to the grieved families…Recommend
A very sad day. May Allah give the families strength to bear their loss . AmeenRecommend
Dear Sir.
Its a great loss for all those whose dear ones were on board however, I feel like the pilot is a hero but CAA Pakistan is responsible for this incident. Pl conduct the enquiry against CAA responsible person.
Best regards,
GulRecommend
My condolences with everyone. My heart cries for everyone. All my countrymen are our brothers and sisters and my heart goes out for everyone of them. Recommend
A heart-rending tragedgy! The ill-fated plane crashed into the Margalla hills, resulting the immediate death of all 152 people on board including the crew of the plane. Every one in Pakistan is mourning this great and colossal loss. May the departed souls rest in peace! May Allah give courage and fortitude to their bereaved families and their relatives to bear this loss of great magnitude. May Allah save us from such calamities in future!Recommend
May Allah rest all souls in Jannah Ameen
Realy very sad day and a big loss for all pakistanies.Recommend
Salam,
The most important thing here, is not to blame AIR Blue or CAA. Please keepit in MIND its an ACCICENT, Which can happen even under all safe circumstances. MAY ALLAH BLESS ALL THE SOULS OF ALL WHO DIED IN THIS INCIDENT.
ACCIDENTS DO HAPPEN, SO JUST BE CAREFUL. BUT BE BRAVE TO TRAVEL BY AIR AGAIN.Recommend
This is very sad.Recommend
Ovais Bin Laiq, Muhammad Umar, Bilal Jamaee, Pyar Ali participants of youth Parliament. 3 of them from IBA. We’ll miss them. Please keep praying for all the Passengers:-(Recommend
Asalam o Alakum,
INNA NELAHI Wa
My condolence to the greiving families.
May ALLAH give give them Jaant.Recommend
May the victims rest in peace and may Allah help their families through this tragic time. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajioonRecommend
Today’s Plan Crash TragedyVoice of a Pakistani
Alas!! Another disaster, one more tragedy, gloomy picture of lush green Margalla hills, cruelty of weather, incapability of National High ups, inefficiency of concerned authorities…Aha. Bad luck again… what to say?
No language has words to condole the affected families.
No reason can heal the wound.
No explanation can stop the tears of mothers.
No visits of PM and CMs can provide the hope of returning of fathers.
No announcement of financial help can secure the future of widows.
Nobody is there to answer my questions.
But… still optimistic. One day will come when such terrific incident happens,
Deep emotions will come to rescue the people.
Reasons will be explained on solid logics.
Visits of higher authorities will have a charisma to condole the victims’ families.
Announcements of aid will be the surety of life long security.
Yes that day will come soon when the whole nation will stand by each other not only verbally rather with spirit and commitment.
Lubna Asghar
LahoreRecommend
There is too much ill-informed speculation here. The pilot a “hero”? He was an ex-PIA captain on the Jumbo with thousands of hours of flying time and must have known Islamabad by heart. Two aircraft had already executed a go-around and diverted to Lahore. The weather can change very quickly and maybe the pilot felt that he could give it a try. We don’t know what ATC told him and I am sure the ATC tapes will be kept secret from the public.
This is a case of human error, sadly the most common cause of air accidents 70% of which happen on take-off/approach to land.
If he was executing a go-around as some are speculating then the go-around procedure for 30 is straight ahead and a LEFT turn away from Margall hills. If he was going around approaching 12, it is straight ahead and a turn RIGHT, away from the same hills.
He was obviously circling to land on 12 (wind was from 050 not 090 as I reported earlier at about 16 kts) and drifted outside the DME (Distance Measuring Equipment) arc he has to fly. The arc is very clearly drawn on his approach chart. He must have flown this procedure at Islamabad a hundred times in his flying career. Why did he drift outside the arc and hit the hills this time killing everyone?Recommend
May ALLAH Bless their Souls with ParadiseRecommend
First of all my deepest condolences.
My scientific question is: Why not (co-)use forensic odontology in the identification process? Forensic odontology is a proven fast and reliable method of identification in the case of air crash victims burnt beyond recognition.Recommend
MAY GOD FORGIVE THEM AMEEN!!Recommend
dear all,
my condolences to the grieved families…
its a totally human error,due to low visibility the aircraft had crashed.being a muslim we have to accept the fact that this was god mighty wish so it happened.
j abbasiRecommend
Apparently some of the “rescuers” helped themselves to the belongings of the passengers.Recommend
I am thinking about the victims, how much pain they are having I can understand. I pray to God “To please put you merciful hand upon the families and comfort them, God you are our real comforter”.Recommend
may ALLAH rest thr souls in peace…aameen…xRecommend
May Allah grant all those who were onboard the AirBlue today, with Jannah and give courage to the bereaved families.
my heart goes out when some faces from yp i knw come up-please take comfort in the knowledge that today was one of the Holiest Days(shab e baraat and maybe some of those onboard were keeping fast!
All onboard are sure shor Jannatis!They’d be glad to die as martyrs than leave the world the way everybody does.
Please offer Fatiha-stop pointing fingers-offer fatiha!Recommend
very bad news may Allah save to allRecommend
A man reached Islamabad airport via PIA,he was waiting to meet his wife and 2 kids onboard the AIrblue plane…he lost his whole family..May all those who lost their lives today rest in peace. and May Allah give their loved ones strength to endure this loss. Ameen
What i dont understand is…in the evening newsreports said the blackbox had been found…now they are saying it hasnt been foundRecommend
the news says that 25 bodies have been identified and the list is out. does anyone have any info on that?
i would really appreciate anything.Recommend
very very sad. Now it is a test case for investigators. Investigation of Airblue plane crash not only be speedy but also be made public asap. May Allah rest their souls in piece!!Recommend
A Catastrophe…May Allah grant patience to the family members of the deceased in this time of grief and sorrow. May the departed souls rest in peace….AmeenRecommend
None can avert the decree of fate .May Allaha rest in heaven all the souls,died in this air crash.The one thing which is now important that the inquiry to be more clear and transparent the legal heirs of the deceased should also be included as representative,and it should be a open trial,so that we may be saved our nation in future like such big air crash.Recommend
No words to describe sorrow. God bless them. Sad DayRecommend
It’s really a heart breaking News .. all on board passengers must have known that they are going to die within minutes, what to say ! , how to express my feelings .. really don’t have words to describe , May ALLAH the Almighty grant eternal peace to the departed souls of martyrs in heaven and courage to the family to bear this irreparable loss. ( Ameen Sumameen )Recommend
assalam o alekum ..
its a time when every pakistani is very feeling sad … just want to say tht MAY ALLAH REST THERE SOULS IN PEACE ..Recommend
The piliot was sick at age 65 with vision and heart problems he should not have been flying , he may easily have landed anwhere in Islamabad
Protect our lives stop the old retired pilots from flying passenger jets at onceRecommend
A very sad incident feel very sorry. no words can express how sad May Allah be with them sad it is…INNA LILLAAHI WA INNAA ILAHI RAAJI’OON my condolences to the grieved families…Recommend
oh god watz hapening in our country? thos who had expird in air crash i m with their families in ths breavment may thier souls rest in heavn aammeenRecommend
Aslam o alaikum
This is a lamha e fikriya for all those people who are related to CAA please show the name of shaheed Peoples in This CrashRecommend
we are all weeping bcoz of this incedent God help us very very very………….sorryRecommend
Its horrible tragedy. May Allah Shower HIS Blessings on each of the victim in this accident and rest their souls in peace, Aameen.
Syed S. AliRecommend
i do not understand how people have the nerve to blame the whole incident on the pilot. if you have no experience flying an a/c. you are not qualified to make such criticisms. its not like driving a car! Recommend
Another sad day for Pakistan :(Recommend
ITS THE SAD EVENTRecommend
May Allah Rest all the souls in Heaven who martyr in the yesterday plane crash incident.
But its the darkest side of our Govt & Nation. There are so many questions raise in front of me whole night.
i. Nation! Why for Nation because the residents of that area not help the agencies and the rescue workers to find the way,… on the other hand they are collecting the luggage of those passengers? So how can we hope better from Allah when a nation is collecting the things from the dead bodies? Shame on those peoples.
ii. Media! i watch the Geo Transmission, where a girl reporting this event. The reporter who is reporting this event just showing this that she is the first woman in the Pakistan who is reporting that type of incident. But she is not reporting this sad incident the channel and she is just publicite themselves. Second Channel is saying that they break the news first. Third is saying they bring the snaps first on the t.v. Shame on the Media Characters.
iii. Is the Pakistan who is the atomic power is not able yet to read
the black box data in the Pakistan. Our minister Minister Rehman Malik
said: THEY SEND THE BLACK BOX TO AMERICAN AND THE REPORT COME IN 3
MONTHS. who remembers this incident in three months because we are
…suffering from this type of incidents daily by those selfish leaders.
CAN REHMAN MALIK TELL US THAT THE PLANE CRASH IN PAKISTAN AIR FORCE AND
OTHER CONFIDENTIAL REPORTS ALSO SEND TO AMERICA FOR INVESTIGATE. ARE WE BRINGING THEM OUR WEAKNESS?
iv. There are many students reached in the incident to help the rescue workers but the authorities stopped them on the other hand our traitor politicians are viewing the incident from the air
http://www.express.com.pk/epaper/PoPupwindow.aspx?newsID=1101012207&Issue=NPISB&Date=20100729
how can this selfish man come on the ground and see what happen with his nation. he has afraid that his suit will be damaged from the rain.
v. How much incident happens but no report come out this incident is also has no report.
Rehman said: Three injured is recovered. After Some Time
Rehman said: All is dead its the NO FLY ZONE.
http://www.express.com.pk/epaper/PoPupwindow.aspx?newsID=1101012202&Issue=NPISB&Date=20100729
…vi. Why the route is changed first time in the 63 years?
vii. Why the plane scrap is not spread in a big area? When ever the plane is crash its spread its scrap in a big area?
viii. The people who knows the Margalla Hills its the difficult area its just the zigzag where the plan crash so how can a big plane enter in the mountains? whether the snaps shows its hits from the right to left but there is no way on the right from where the plane enter?
ix. When ever the single American is dead their team reached them self
for the investigation. But yesterday there is no American name is shown
in the list of Airline, Hospital, Media? Their no investigation team
reached on the incident that why two Americans are dead? Their embassy
…raise just condole the 152 passengers families. they also not represent
the names of those Americans who are traveling in this plane. Why?
Who are those two Americans? The passengers or the American Terrorists who………. because there are many places near the site of plane crash: like Parliment (where the sessions is under in progress). A.Q. Khan house etc. CAN WE AWAKE AND TELL THE NATION TRUTH ABOUT THOSE AMERICANS
x. Black Box: In next 48 hours Rehman malik minister bring
the statement that they did not found the black box due to rain or some
thing else. because the bring the statement later that there is a deep
area where the some plane crash. I DONT THINK THAT THEY FOUND THE BLACK BOX.
xi. I think that there is only need 30 second to 1 minute to reach from
the landing strip to the crash site. What happen in the 1 minute that
the pilot could not inform the tower. This latest plane has the quality
to fight with weather and we as the islamabad resident now better that
this is not the bad weather as it happens in the winter with fog.
With all due respect please tell the truth to the nation because the
nation is not foolish and uneducated and liar and traitor like you.
…The world is not enough is the movie
but
the nation is not foolish enough is the truth.
My dear Politicians.
Thanks for read all the post.
IF ANY ONE HAS THE SNAPS OF THE INCIDENTS BY THEM SELF PLEASE SHARE TO
US. I TRY TO GO THERE BUT THE SECURITY PERSONAL STOP US. PAKISTAN
ZINDABAD. MAY ALLAH BLESS OUR NATION FROM ANY OTHER INCIDENT.
THE ENDRecommend
In the wake of yesterdays tragic event that shook the nation one would’ve hoped that our respective officials and news channels would’ve shown some sort of humanity and discretion in reporting of the incident. However, it was disgusting that way a free hand was given to all to dwell information that firstly had no evidence and secondly that had no respect and care for those that grieve for their loved ones. I write this to bring to attention some of the people working in these news channels to handle their reporting with care and respect for the deceased and those they leave behind.
Case in point is Rehman Malik, our interior minister that firstly had no business to give any sort of statement on the incident and then to top it all give information that had no basis or evidence. To report even one survivor of the plane crash would be to play with the hopes of all the family and friends of all of the victims. He reported 5. That’s a 147 or so victims multiplied by their family members. That’s a lot of people and a lot of hearts to break by just making one stupid statement in a rush as he has always done.
Unfortunately that was not the end of the story. If having hopes raised beyond ones imagination just to have them crashing down again wasn’t enough News channels really took the cake. Case in point is a Geo reporter that firstly took the first 5 minutes to report what troubles she had to go through such as slipping, having thorns pierce her feet to being the only female reporter to first make it to the crash site because she wanted to live up to the reputation of her news channels as being the first to report, mind you not to help the people desperately seeking some sort of information about their loved ones, but to make her channels proud. To report the way the victims of the crash site were seen there did not serve any purpose. It is not newsworthy and it does not help any cause. Instead it makes the situation for the people looking for answers a lot worse. This was not only the case with GEO but more or less every news channels we have.
Some of you reading this would be working in these news channels and it should be the duty of any moral human being if not our regulatory authorities to effectively mange and report incidents keeping the dignity and respect for the ones who we have lost and for the ones they leave behind intact.
I personally did not know anyone on that flight but as this website reported most of us know someone affected by this crash through 6 degree of separation if not less and I would hate to think what their families would go through having to sit just 20 mins in front of the television and hearing these unprofessional stone cold commercialized news reporters blabber out information that just crosses all sorts of boundaries. Please bring some sense back. Recommend
A very sad incident. I am a Mechanical Engineer and was following the tragedy news closely, step by step.
I guess this is the time the Aviation Industry worldwide should take a step forward to make planes more secure and loaded with fully automated safety landing system. An example is a vertical landing planes like in movie True lies.
I have also followed very closely a couple of unfortunate air accidents. For an aeroplane the most deadly steps in flying are
1) TAKE OFF.
2) LANDING.
Rest is simple once the plane is in air, it can either float if its engines are shut off or easily fly.
I think here the error is with pilot. It is for me 90 percent a pilot error. Following is a list of points which support postulation although a through investigation is still to be made yet i think for the time being.
Factors that may have contributed to the tragedy.
1) Tiredness, strain or stress on pilot mind before take of.
2) Age of the pilot above 60 years.
3) Attempt of landing in foggy and cloudy wet weather.
4)Absence of any modern stimulator equipment on most of pakistani airports which are helpful in locating the runway accurately.
5) Pilot descion to change the rout of landing.
6) Poor communication between the pilot/cabin crew and Air traffic Control System in Islamabad during the flight.
7) Not utilising the opportunit of waiting in the air in circles or even fly to a safer close destination.
8) Poor diagnosis of the emergency situation by the pilot and his team.
9) Neglecting worlwide safety standards of Aviation.
10) Some other unpridictable factor inside the cabin crew room.
11) Less skilfull pilot and ground staff.
I myslef have used the PIA flights mostly to go abroad. For my notice the PIA and other small aeroplane operating bodies like Air blue usually do not meet the worlwide standard of health and safety set by world wide safety body of aviation like the one in America. Mostly due to mismanagement in the Aviation in pakistan usually the right people are not in the right jobs.
As engineers we try to design the flying machines with utmost accuracy and prescion but in the end it is the human who has to operate it. As we are still living in the age of semi automation world, the human operating the machine should be the final deciding factor between safety and destruction.
I request the readers to wait for a detailed invistigation report by some international independent investigating body and take my words in that context.
The proper steps are needed to be taken to upgrade the Aviation industry in Pakistan to avoid tragic accidents in future. Under current circumstances it looks difficult.
[email protected]
The writer is a Mechanical Engineer based in Lahore.Recommend
hum app kay gham our dukh ka andaza nahi kar saktey..bus allah ki marzi thee.. allah tala sub ko ghawar e rahamat may ghaga deyRecommend
VERY SAD NEWS FOR ALL THE NATION.
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD FULL SUPPOT THE VICTIMS FAMILIES..
APPEAL FOR DUA-E-MAGHFIRAT…Recommend
VERY VERY SAD NEWS..
APPEAL FOR DUA-E-MAGHFIRAT FOR ALL..Recommend
May Allah rest the souls of the departed rest in peace.
And may He bless the people close to them with the strength to go through this time of grief.Recommend
Milay khaak main ehlay shaan kaisey kaisey
Mitay namion k nishaan kaisey kaisey
Zameen khaa gai insaan kaisy kaisey
Jaga G laganey ki dunya nahin hai
Yeah ibrat ki jaa hai tamashaa nahin haiRecommend
Thats a very big accident….and i felt really very sad…please all of you pray for all those people who passed away in this accident…may ALLAH bless them all:(Recommend
Asalam o Alaikum
ABU BAQR IZHAR ACA , he was Tax Manager at A F Ferguson & Co (PWC) may God gives him in peace.Please Pray for him
Regards
Adnan KhanRecommend
1- if the weather condition was bad why plane allowed to land?
2- why plane entered inthe area which is forbidden (no fly zone)
3- why a senior pilot not followed the instruction through control tower?
4- why landing gear was down?
5- how is it possible that a senior pilot showed such neglegence?
6- why plane lost its communication when there are two airports one for civil and one for GHQ?
7- did authorities checked the last communication made by the victims or crew by their cell phones?
8- where is the black box? (it is found)
9- how is it possible that plane broke into so many pieces? (fragments)
10- do you think we can rely on caa report?Recommend
GOD BLESS THEM//////////Recommend
v stand in the place of an incredible tragedy,one of the biggest tragic events of our nation’s history..
on behalf of my family i wud like to express our condolences and sorrow specifically to the families of the victims
may the departed souls rest in peace (ameen)Recommend
Very gloomy incident….can never forget this…and pray for those by heart who killed in this accident.Recommend
The correct sitution is not confirmed.Recommend
now pray for all those people who r in plane.Recommend
Flying is absolutely a different ball game. It is not at all like driving a car on a slippery muddy road where a driver has plenty of options available even in case of a terrible accident to save himself as well as his passengers..Flying an aeroplane does not give a pilot so many options especially in bad weather conditions with poor visibility.A pilot has to make quick decisions depending upon his experience,and with every passing second he is running out of options to land safely.
This is really really Sad
May Allah give all the Martyrs a place in heaven
AmeenRecommend
Salam, We can blame the pilot, weather or the plane itself but the bottom line is who is “Incharge” for our life and death. Those people who were on this plane have no more time left on this world. Remember “ALLAH swt” already made this decision long before we were ever born. We have to keep reminding our self more so often and by doing so things can become easier for us. We were born with our tight schedule there is no more changes and delays we can expire anytime. Look at the pilot’s forehead he was a true believer and there was a resason behind why he was entering the “No Fly Zone”. He was helpless and simply carrying his Master’s Commands. All these people who vanished are “SHAHEED” will go to jannah. May ALLAH bless each and every one’s soul and provide sabr’ for the families…AmeenRecommend
It’s a very sad incident, Allah may bless all died souls.
We all want transparent investigation of crash. It’s our right to know what happened during flight. Why black box is missing once announced it was recovered from the crash sight. If the facts destroyed we will not trust in kangaroo investigation. Airbus industry should bring out all facts because their credibility in on stake.
ZaffarRecommend
ALLAh send them all of these to paradise….Recommend
ALLAh help their ppl family.Recommend
may their souls rest in peace..
i want to give a message to awl of you that please keep ur own safety if the weather is lyke it was dat day just av0id travelling n0 matter h0w important it is to go .. There’s no use of saying anythng ab0ut what happened because we cnt explain the painful situation that their families are going through we cant bring th0se people back .. i wish i could stop what happened .. bt we cant d0 anythng except t0 pray f0r th0se pe0ple and t0 learn a less0n frm dat incident.. 0pen ur eyes and jst realize that its time to ask for forgiveness from God c0x HE is angry wid us .. u d0nt know whn ur life is going to end ..its time for us to improve ourselves , t0 turn into gud muslims, gud human beings .. Please jst make Pakistan a better place to live in ..go0d pe0ple means go0d c0untry .. Take care 0v urselves and 0v 0thers and be a go0d muslim.. May Allah forgives us and protects us awl.. Allah Hafiz =) Recommend
really very tragic news….my all condolences is with them who have lost their dears in the crash.i prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed souls in eternal peace and grant the bereaved family the courage to bear the loss with magnanimity.Recommend
sad dont know how to express my feelings . mishapp with inocent ppl .God bless ma country n evry single person of ma country .AmeenRecommend
Please recite surat fateh once for all the victims of air blue crash!Recommend
this is very bad news for us where is the our govmernet and where is the blackbox
regardsRecommend
Islamabad Crash is one of the deadliest crash ever happened. Recently Air India flight is crashed where I am living which is described as top 9th deadliest crash in last decade. Hope this kind of crash never happen again
Love and care from India…Recommend
\
The investigation should highlight on the media strongly. and it is premature to say something because you cannot blame pilot, CAA or any one.
May Allah Pak rest their soul in piece and MAKE a place in JANNAT>
aameenRecommend
it was a great loss of humanity, so for, I am very very much involved in sadness of this loss, but this is our right to know the reality, responsible are still hiding the reality because they are not exposing the metirial of black box. It is my request to govt that please tell us what is in the black box and according to black box metirial what happen in last 30 minutesRecommend
can anyone tell me if they know a famous baloch family died in margalla plane crash, the father and the son were in karachi but the mother and other siblings died. Please i want to know that family. Recommend