PIA plane skids off runway during landing at Gilgit airport

Published July 20, 2019
The PIA ATR aircraft is seen resting on its side after the incident. — Photo provided by Imtiaz Ali Taj
The PIA ATR aircraft is seen resting on its side after the incident. — Photo provided by Imtiaz Ali Taj
Passengers are seen leaving the aircraft after it veered off the runway. — Photo provided by Imtiaz Ali Taj
Passengers are seen leaving the aircraft after it veered off the runway. — Photo provided by Imtiaz Ali Taj

A passenger airc­raft of the Pakistan Int­erna­tional Airlines (PIA) escaped accident after it skidded off the runway while landing at Gilgit airport on Saturday.

All passengers remained safe in the incident, the airlines' spokesperson, Mashhood Tajwar, said in a statement.

He said the pilot skillfully regained control of the plane after the ATR-42 aircraft "slid off to the unpaved [area] to a minor extent during landing".

The flight PK-605 was carrying 53 people, including crew members, from Islamabad to Gilgit, according to the Gilgit deputy commissioner. The aircraft was pictured resting on its right side after coming to a halt in a grassy area next to the tarmac.

The runway at Gilgit airport was temporarily closed after the incident. When it reopened, PIA's return flight PK-608 took off for Islamabad.

PIA CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik ordered a "transparent inquiry" into the incident, the spokesperson said.

He added that action would be taken as per aviation rules if any negligence is proven during the investigation.

The two pilots of the flight involved in the incident have been grounded till the completion of the probe, Tajwar revealed.


With additional reporting by Imtiaz Ali Taj in Gilgit.

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.