The final words of the pilot aboard a K2 Airways Boeing 737 that vanished over the Arabian Sea have been disclosed as a search operation continues for the crew. The cargo plane, carrying at least five people, lost contact with air traffic control on Tuesday before rapidly descending off the coast of Pakistan. Civilian and navy searchers have since located and recovered wreckage near Karachi.
Last Transmission Indicates Flight Control Issues
The reported last transmission from the pilot described the PNS Zulfiqar as 'rolling or floating' — a phrase experts interpret as a sign of serious flight system trouble. 'Rolling' among pilots refers to an aircraft tilting side to side; while deliberate during turns, an uncommanded roll can signal flight control failure, severe turbulence, structural damage, or asymmetric lift and engine difficulties. 'Floating' is typically associated with landing, when pilots remain airborne above the runway due to excessive speed or ground effect, according to the Daily Star.
Navigation System Fault Reported
According to the Civil Aviation Authority, the Boeing 737 was operated by Karachi-based K2 Airways on a cargo flight from Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, to Karachi. At 9:18 PM local time, the crew reported a fault with the navigation system. Pakistan's Airport Authority stated: 'K2 Airways B 737 of Pakistan Cargo Flight enroute from Sharjah to Karachi reported Navigational system issue and was promptly guided by KARACHI ACC.'
Rapid Descent and Loss of Contact
The Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that radar data showed the aircraft rapidly losing height and executing an abrupt directional change at approximately 9:21 PM. Both radar and radio communication ceased 155 nautical miles west of Karachi. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 indicated the aircraft first dropped in altitude, then momentarily gained height, before experiencing another severe descent. The final transmitted data positioned the aircraft at 1,100 feet above sea level, with a vertical rate of minus 22,400 feet per minute, according to Reuters. This signifies an exceptionally rapid and unusual rate of descent. The plane is believed to have dropped a catastrophic 35,000 feet in under two minutes.
Search and Aircraft History
A significant search operation is underway with the navy and air force mobilized to locate the crew. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-400, was originally delivered as a passenger aircraft to Russia's Aeroflot in 1999 and converted into a freighter in 2012. It is K2 Airways' only aircraft and commenced operations with the carrier in 2024. K2 Airways, a private Pakistani cargo carrier based at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, was founded in 2017 and operated scheduled and charter freight routes connecting domestic and regional international destinations.
