Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Friday rejected claims circulating in the media that its fleet of aircraft is faulty.

"It defies common sense that pilots and engineers would fly an aircraft that does not meet safety standards, and risk their own lives," the statement issued read, referring to speculation on mainstream media as well as social media that the national carrier was operating with fault aircraft.

The PIA Spokesman Danyal Gillani clarified that the ATR is perfectly safe for flying. "It is useful and economical on short haul flights in both hot and cold weather conditions," he said.

A PIA flight PK-661 carrying 48 passengers and crew crashed on the way to Islamabad from Chitral on Wednesday. The Civil Aviation Authority confirmed there were no survivors from the ill-fated flight.

Popular singer-turned-preacher Junaid Jamshed also perished in the crash along with his wife.

Read more: 'I fell in love with Junaid Jamshed's voice'

Pilot association speaks out

Speaking to DawnNews Thursday, Pakistan Air Lines Pilots Association (Palpa) Captain Khalid Hamza said that flying a faulty plane is incredibly difficult for any pilot.

"They should not be blamed for such incidents," he said, adding spare parts for PIA aircraft are never readily available and that the airline has been informed about it time and again.

However, Capt Hamza said the aforementioned problem is not limited to PIA.

Palpa president speaks to DawnNews programme News Wise

"Other private companies also face similar inadequacies," he added, urging the Pakistani government to look into and invest in improving the aviation sector.

"A pilot only sends a 'May Day' signal as a last resort," the Palpa president said, adding aircraft can land safely even if one of the engines is working.

Capt Hamza was of the opinion that the investigation of the recent PIA plane crash should be done independently.

"Pilots, who die in a crash, cannot defend themselves," he said, adding that is why it is easy to blame the pilot and close the investigation.

"A crash, be it of a car or a train or a plane, does not happen all of a sudden," he said.

"An entire chain of events is involved that leads to the crash," the Palpa president said, adding an investigation is necessary to dissect these events and ascertain where the fault lied.

"In my 38 years of experience, I've never heard a pilot give out the 'May Day' signal, except for when I was in training," Capt Hamza added, saying the signal is only sent in extreme emergencies such as when the engine catches fire.

Opinion

Four hundred seats?

Four hundred seats?

The mix of divisive cultural politics and grow­th-oriented economics that feeds Hindu middle-class ambition and provides targeted welfare are key ingredients in the BJP’s political trajectory.

Editorial

Weathering the storm
Updated 29 Apr, 2024

Weathering the storm

Let 2024 be the year when we all proactively ensure that our communities are safeguarded and that the future is secure against the inevitable next storm.
Afghan repatriation
29 Apr, 2024

Afghan repatriation

COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a...
Trying harder
29 Apr, 2024

Trying harder

IT is a relief that Pakistan managed to salvage some pride. Pakistan had taken the lead, then fell behind before...
Return to the helm
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.