Six Years On, PK-8303 Crash Wounds Still Fresh For Survivors’ Families

On May 22, 2020, a PIA plane crashed into a residential area near Jinnah International Airport after losing its engines. The crash killed 97 people on board while two passengers survived miraculously.

This incident marks the third most catastrophic aviation disaster in Pakistan’s history. The Airbus A320, carrying 91 passengers and eight crew members, was on an unstable approach to Jinnah International Airport with excessive airspeed and altitude.

The aircraft belly landed nearly halfway down the runway before a go-around attempt failed as both engines started to fail due to damage from the belly landing. Despite attempts to land again, the plane lost airspeed and crashed into buildings in Model Colony.

Eight crew members and 89 passengers were killed by impact and post-crash fire. One person who was inside the buildings died ten days later from burn injuries.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Board of Pakistan found that both the captain and first officer made multiple errors during approach and landing.