RAWALPINDI, Jan 3: A PIA flight escaped disaster on Monday when one of its engines hit the runway when the plane was landing at the Islamabad airport, officials said. Flight PK-786 from London had 376 passengers and 16 crew members on board.

Talking to this reporter, an official said the fourth engine of the Boeing 747-300 aircraft hit the runway when the plane made its landing at 9.48am. However, he added, the pilot maintained control of the plane averting a disaster.

"No fire resulted when the engine touched the runway surface and all passengers were safe," he said. PIA spokesperson Samina Pervez said the incident took place because of poor visibility. Besides, she added, the plane was landing without the 'precision landing system'. She did not elaborate.

"The pilot first had a go around and then attempted landing with slight manoeuvring and while it was manoeuvring one of the engines touched down," she said. The pilot then safely moved the aircraft to the parking area, she said. PIA chairman Chaudhry Ahmed Saeed has ordered an investigation into the incident.

APP ADDS: Talking to a TV channel, the PIA public relations manger said the plane had been grounded and a team of engineers had been called from Karachi to examine it.