PIA flight PK653, inbound from Islamabad, skidded off the main runway of Lahore’s airport and onto the shoulder while landing.
The main runway remained closed on Saturday as authorities attempted to remove the plane from the runway shoulder. The reason for the delay in moving the aircraft is reportedly the downpour which was initially believed to be the cause of the accident.
Reasons for the accident are being investigated; however initial investigations, based on statements from air traffic control (ATC) and the pilot, have revealed that the pilot attempted to land the plane some 500ft before the touchdown point.
Authorities attempting to move the plane off the runway say it could take up to 3 hours to reopen the runway for larger aircraft.
It was earlier reported that almost a third of PIA flights have suffered delays this year due to technical and administrative reasons, dealing a severe blow to the national flag carrier’s business.
COMMENTS (5)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Airplane skidding off the runway in bad weather is just an unfortunate accident, which must be taken as such. But that is not to say that PIA, while being a state owned entity, is a viable option for this hapless nation. It has already lost Rs 18 billion in the first six months of the current year, and stands to lose another 22 billion by the end of the year. Just think about it.
I have just returned frustrated from Heathrow where the incompetent staff have caused a major scene. The security staff have sealed off portion of Gate B of Terminal 3 where shocked passengers are raising slogans against PIA. The arrangements offered are a dodgy motel near the airport.
@PakPower: PIA needs to be state owned, the amount and worth of property PIA has would go cheap into the hands of those who buy it. Its better that it runs the way it is running because anyhow a cleanup of this corrupt setup is bound to happen
PIA is run by a bunch of incompetent and corrupt people. These incidents just go on to show that PIA can't be state-owned anymore, atleast, not with the government we have right now.