PIA aircraft hits parked Shaheen Air plane in Karachi

E-Paper | March 16, 2026

KARACHI: A Pakistan Inter-national Airlines aircraft hit a parked plane during routine engine testing near a hangar at Karachi airport on Saturday.

The ATR aircraft was undergoing some repairs at the engineering hangar while the parked plane belonged to a private airline.

Official sources said the aircraft was towed from the hangar and its engines were switched on for testing. While it was moving towards the parking area, its brakes failed and the plane hit a non-functional and parked aircraft of the Shaheen International Airlines.

However, a PIA spokesperson said that during routine engine check-up the plane “slightly hit a salvaged skeleton of aircraft parked nearby” due to which its propeller got damaged. The PIA management did not cite any reason for the incident but said an inquiry had been launched to look into the episode.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2018

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Haider

Nov 25, 2018 08:18am

Let the PIA rise already

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Riaz Ahmad

Nov 25, 2018 08:33am

This is the reality of incompetent tecnicians, recruited on the baisis of political interference.

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ali ahmed

Nov 25, 2018 09:23am

Once great people to fly with....

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sameera

Nov 25, 2018 09:27am

Poor maintenance records. Poor health and safety. Just like any other government department. Pakistan needs to learn to maintain movable/immovable assets. When purchasing, it'd be wise to budget for perdiodic maintenance too.

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Peru

Nov 25, 2018 09:43am

Poorly trained PIA Pilates should be sent to other countries for proper training .

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khanm

Nov 25, 2018 10:42am

PIA aircraft hits parked Shaheen Airplane in Karachi... Maybe they hate the competition.. cos in their opinion that is the only way to survive...

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Akhtar Husain

Nov 25, 2018 10:44am

PIA is one of the most incompetent airlines in the world. After Syrian Air, Pakistan’s national airline is world’s second worst as far as staff-to-aircraft ratio is concerned. It is a burden on national economy. The top management lacks professionalism and is only concerned about grabbing personal benefits. In short, it needs some drastic steps to make this airline to stand on its own feet. A challenge for the new government!

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Waqar

Nov 25, 2018 10:45am

News heading and it's body present totally different perspective. I think we should be cautious while describing matters of our national assets. Instead we prefer to exaggerate such news. In this case the incident happened during a routine maintenance not while boarding or taking off as implied by the heading. Also I am not sure whether this deserve to be presented in top news.

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LAHORI KID

Nov 25, 2018 10:47am

Are we ever going to hear any positive news about PIA, ? Even once before the year is over??

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Farooq khan

Nov 25, 2018 10:52am

It is gross negligence, incompetence and unprofessional attitude that is deeply prevalent in PIA.

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SHUAIB

Nov 25, 2018 11:48am

One to All PIA staff from Pilots to Air hostess and Ground Staff all should be replaced to better services and satisfaction of Passengers.

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WARRIs

Nov 25, 2018 12:34pm

.. an aircraft with failed brakes hit another aircraft which was non-functional.... these aircrafts should not be on the airport but in a junkyard... this is like playing with ordinary people’s lives!!!

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Asifnaqvi

Nov 25, 2018 12:41pm

This could be a reflex action on part of the PIA plane. As it holds private airlines responsible for her destruction.

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Khurram

Nov 25, 2018 12:47pm

It's called taking out a rival.

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Adnan Shah

Nov 25, 2018 01:07pm

Height of incompetence and lack of safety standards

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Mahmood

Nov 25, 2018 02:33pm

@Peru , Oh you of so little knowledge! Pilots are necessary only for flying the aircraft. The engineers who maintain and repair, overhaul or service the aircraft are not PILOTS (not even 'Pilates'), who are not required to actually fly the aircraft. In this case, the plane was being moved on the ground and engine was being tested... No pilots were involved. Besides. PIA Maintenance and Engineering in Karachi, at one time, used to service air planes from dozens of foreign airlines and used to train foreign engineers. So don't be too hasty and jump to wrong conclusions. Moving the aircraft on the ground does not even need require in the cockpit - much less a fully trained pilot.

Recommend 0

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Nov 25, 2018 02:42pm

Please get rid of these old and obsolete propeller-driven ATR aircraft's, which beside PIA fleet, are only seen in various museums of the world.

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Just Saying

Nov 25, 2018 02:46pm

They even have trouble driving let alone flying.

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Neo

Nov 25, 2018 03:13pm

Do they think these are bumper cars.

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Sanity

Nov 25, 2018 03:42pm

Obviously, aeroplanes don't have eyes and that too of PIA!

Recommend 0

Nov 25, 2018 04:51pm

Once a power house now a disgrace. I wonder who will be held responsible in this case.

Recommend 0

Nov 25, 2018 05:23pm

Like any other industry airline is made up of several links and human resource is key link. PIA is having big burden of incompetent shifaris force which is weakest one unfortunately.

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M.Saeed

Nov 25, 2018 10:19pm

Two ailing airlines in a fight for early demise.

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Jigar

Nov 25, 2018 11:03pm

@Mahmood, if there was no pilot in the plane then how was the plane moving and how could it's brake fail and hit another plane. Brakes only fail when someone tries to apply them.The plane was not being towed and it was not the tow trucks's brakes failed. Before moving then plane, brakes should have been checked and tested.

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IKE

Nov 25, 2018 11:36pm

There is only one way to save PIA. Dismiss all PIA staff and hire anew. Do not hire anyone who previously worked for the Airline.

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Amir

Nov 26, 2018 08:46am

Brakes failed on pia aircraft..... Imagine the brakes failed on landing......

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Dr Saira

Nov 26, 2018 11:33pm

ATR aircraft should be condemned now as they are not in a good condition. Junaid Jamshed lost his life due to mechanical failure of an ATR aircraft.

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