The final words of the pilot aboard a Boeing 737 that disappeared over the Arabian Sea have been revealed, as search teams recover wreckage from the missing aircraft. The cargo plane, operated by K2 Airways, is believed to have crashed into the sea after a rapid descent off the coast of Pakistan.
Pilot's Last Transmission
Air traffic control lost contact with the aircraft, which had at least five people on board, on Tuesday shortly before it plummeted. The pilot's last reported transmission described the plane as "rolling or floating," a phrase experts suggest indicates a critical flight system failure. "Rolling" refers to a plane tilting side to side; while intentional during turns, an uncommanded roll can signal serious malfunctions like flight control failure, severe turbulence, structural damage, or asymmetric lift and engine problems. "Floating" is typically associated with landing, when a plane remains airborne above the runway due to excessive speed or ground effect, according to the Daily Star.
Flight Details and Descent
The Boeing 737, operated by Karachi-based K2 Airways, was on a cargo flight from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates to Karachi. It reported a navigation system fault at 9:18 PM local time, according to the Civil Aviation Authority. "K2 Airways B 737 of Pakistan Cargo Flight enroute from Sharjah to Karachi reported Navigational system issue and was promptly guided by KARACHI ACC," the Pakistan Airports Authority confirmed in an official statement. Radar data showed the plane rapidly descending while making an abrupt directional shift at approximately 9:21 PM, before losing all radar and radio communication 155 nautical miles west of Karachi.
Wreckage Recovery and Search Operation
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed the jet initially dropping altitude, momentarily gaining height, then experiencing another severe descent. The final data transmission placed the plane at 1,100 feet above sea level, descending at minus 22,400 feet per minute, according to Reuters. This exceptionally rapid descent rate indicates the aircraft fell approximately 35,000 feet in under two minutes. An extensive search operation involving naval and air force personnel is underway, with wreckage recovered from the sea.
Aircraft History
The jet is part of Boeing's older 737 fleet. The 737-400 was originally delivered as a passenger aircraft to Russia's Aeroflot in 1999 before being converted into a cargo carrier in 2012. It is K2 Airways' only plane and began service with the airline in 2024. K2 Airways is a privately-owned Pakistani freight carrier based at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, founded in 2017, operating scheduled and charter cargo services connecting domestic airports and neighbouring international locations.
