Pakistani authorities have launched a large-scale search and rescue operation after a Boeing 737 cargo aircraft carrying five crew members lost contact with air traffic control near the coast of Karachi following a reported navigation system malfunction.
According to the Pakistan Airports Authority, the aircraft, operated by K2 Airways, was approaching Karachi late Tuesday when the crew informed air traffic controllers of a navigation system problem. Shortly afterward, communication with the aircraft was lost.
Initial flight-tracking data suggested the cargo plane experienced irregular changes in altitude before disappearing from radar over the Arabian Sea. The sudden loss of contact has raised concerns that the aircraft may have crashed into the sea, although officials have not confirmed its fate.
The aircraft was carrying five crew members at the time of the incident. No information has yet been released regarding their identities or nationalities.
A coordinated search operation involving multiple agencies was launched immediately after contact with the aircraft was lost. The effort is focused on locating the missing plane and rescuing any survivors.
The Pakistan Navy has dispatched the frigate PNS Zulfiqar to assist in the operation, while the Pakistan Air Force is conducting aerial reconnaissance missions over the suspected search area. Authorities have also instructed merchant ships sailing through nearby waters to participate in the search and report any signs of wreckage or distress.
Emergency teams are working around the clock as officials attempt to determine the aircraft’s last known position and narrow the search zone. Weather and sea conditions are also being monitored as they could affect search operations.
The Pakistan Airports Authority said the aircraft had reported a technical issue involving its navigation system before communications were interrupted. Investigators have not yet determined whether the reported malfunction was directly linked to the aircraft’s disappearance.
Aviation experts note that navigation system failures do not always result in accidents, as pilots are trained to rely on backup procedures and communication with air traffic controllers. However, the loss of both radar contact and radio communication has prompted a full emergency response.
Authorities have not released details about the cargo being transported or the flight’s origin before its scheduled arrival in Karachi.
Officials said the search operation will continue until the aircraft is located and the condition of the crew is confirmed. Search teams are using naval vessels, military aircraft and reports from commercial ships to cover a wide area of the Arabian Sea.
The incident has drawn close attention from Pakistan’s aviation authorities, who are expected to launch a formal investigation once the aircraft is found. Investigators will examine flight records, maintenance history and communication logs to determine what led to the loss of contact.
For now, officials say their immediate priority remains finding the missing aircraft and ensuring every available resource is being used in the ongoing rescue effort.
