KARACHI: The Shaheen Air International pilot commandeering flight NL-142 which crash-landed at Lahore airport earlier this month was intoxicated and fatigued at the time of landing, a medical report reveals.

At least 10 passengers were injured as the Karachi-Lahore flight carrying over a hundred people crash landed at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport, skidding off the runway when faulty landing gear caused a tyre to burst.

Earlier reports said the pilot of the aircraft had given prior intimation to airport authorities regarding the fault in the landing gear before making the emergency landing.

In an official press release by the Civil Aviation Authority titled 'Snap/random medical tests of cockpit and cabin crew', the CAA stated that it has conducted a medical investigation involving the cockpit crew following the incident. The press release stated that the "the pilot in command had an unacceptable level of blood alcohol and lactate. The lactate indicates that the pilot was fatigued". The press release quoting Director General (DG) CAA Amjad Ali Toor outlined these reasons for the crash landing.

A copy of the CAA press release.
A copy of the CAA press release.

The DG CAA asked airlines to ensure their pilots "maintain highest levels of aviation standards and refrain from flying under the influence of alcohol".

He said all operators would need to be more vigilant while enforcing discipline amongst their cockpit and cabin crew to prevent future occurrences of similar incidents.

Toor said the CAA would also make efforts to ensure compliance with flight safety standards.

The CAA has in the past failed to take regulatory action against violators of air safety laws.

Earlier this year, the authority and flight operator were slammed for inaction in the face of violation of rules by 'influential' pilot Qasim Hayat who operated a Toronto-bound flight without mandatory 24-hour rest.

Last year, flight inspector Arif Majeed was let off the hook for flying a passenger flight despite not being authorised to do so.

Opinion

Editorial

Growth to stability
Updated 29 Apr, 2026

Growth to stability

THE State Bank’s decision to raise its key policy rate by 100 basis points to 11.5pc signals a shift in priorities...
Constitutional order
29 Apr, 2026

Constitutional order

FOLLOWING the passage of the 26th and 27th Amendments, in 2024 and 2025 respectively, jurists and members of the...
Protecting childhood
29 Apr, 2026

Protecting childhood

AN important victory for child protection was secured on Monday with the Punjab Assembly’s passage of the Child...
Unlearnt lessons
Updated 28 Apr, 2026

Unlearnt lessons

THE US is undoubtedly the world’s top military and economic power at this time. Yet as the Iran quagmire has ...
Solar vision?
28 Apr, 2026

Solar vision?

THE recent imposition of certain regulatory requirements for small-scale solar systems, followed by the reversal of...
Breaking malaria’s grip
28 Apr, 2026

Breaking malaria’s grip

FOR the first time in decades, defeating malaria in our lifetime is possible, according to WHO. Yet in Pakistan,...