Introduction
On 12 March 2025, a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Airbus A320-200, registered AP-BLS, operating flight PK-306 from Karachi (KHI) to Lahore (LHE), Pakistan, lost its outboard left main wheel during departure from Karachi. The aircraft continued its flight and landed safely on Runway 36R in Lahore. A post-flight inspection revealed the missing wheel, which had not been recovered as of 13 March 2025.
Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) initiated an investigation, with early findings suggesting a possible foreign object impact at Karachi as a contributing factor. The aircraft remains grounded in Lahore for further inspections and repairs.
Sequence of Events
Departure from Karachi
• PIA flight PK-306 was scheduled for a routine domestic service from Karachi to Lahore with passengers and crew on board.
• The Airbus A320-200 departed from Runway 25L at Karachi Jinnah International Airport, climbing normally without any immediate indications of technical issues.
• Unknown to the crew at the time, the outboard left main wheel detached from the aircraft during takeoff.
Normal Flight Operations
• The flight proceeded uneventfully to Lahore, maintaining a normal cruise altitude and descent profile.
• There was no indication of gear malfunctions or vibrations detected by the flight crew en route.
• Air Traffic Control (ATC) and ground observers did not report any visible anomalies during the flight.
Landing in Lahore and Discovery of the Missing Wheel
• The A320 landed safely on Runway 36R at Lahore Allama Iqbal International Airport, and the crew taxied to the designated stand without issue.
• During a routine post-flight inspection, ground engineers identified that the outboard wheel of the left main landing gear was missing.
• PIA maintenance teams immediately reported the issue to Pakistan’s CAA, prompting an investigation.
Investigation and Initial Findings
1. Missing Wheel and Possible Causes
• The outboard left main wheel was not recovered from Karachi or Lahore as of the latest updates.
• Loose nuts and bolts were discovered on Runway 25L at Karachi, suggesting the wheel detached upon takeoff.
• Investigators are assessing whether the loss was due to mechanical failure, improper installation, or foreign object damage (FOD) at Karachi.
2. Potential Foreign Object Damage (FOD) at Karachi
• Pakistan’s CAA has not ruled out the possibility that the wheel detachment resulted from a foreign object strike during takeoff.
• Runway debris and FOD pose significant risks to aircraft structures and landing gear systems, making regular runway inspections essential.
• Further forensic analysis will determine if impact damage contributed to the failure.
3. Landing Gear Maintenance Records and Previous Incidents
• Aircraft maintenance logs are under review to confirm when the main landing gear underwent its last routine inspection and component replacement cycle.
• The Airbus A320 landing gear is designed to withstand significant loads, and wheel separations are extremely rare in commercial aviation.
• If maintenance records suggest recent wheel assembly work, procedural errors or component fatigue could be investigated as contributing factors.
Safety Implications and Industry Considerations
1. Risks of Landing Gear Component Failures
• Wheel separations are a serious safety concern, as they can compromise aircraft stability during takeoff, landing, and taxiing.
• In this case, the remaining wheel on the left main gear assembly sustained the landing without incident, but in a different scenario, the aircraft could have faced control difficulties on landing.
• The incident highlights the importance of thorough pre-flight and post-maintenance inspections of landing gear assemblies.
2. Importance of Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Management
• Loose debris on runways has the potential to cause critical damage to aircraft components.
• Enhanced runway inspections and debris removal protocols should be reinforced at Karachi Jinnah International Airport to prevent similar occurrences.
• Runway surveillance and real-time FOD detection systems could improve early identification of hazards before departures.
3. Enhanced Maintenance and Wheel Assembly Checks
• If maintenance-related issues contributed to the failure, PIA and Airbus will need to review procedures for wheel installation, bolt torquing, and routine inspections.
• Periodic torque checks and visual inspections of landing gear bolts and components are critical for detecting wear, fatigue, and improper installation.
Conclusion
The Pakistan International Airlines Airbus A320-200 lost its outboard left main wheel during departure from Karachi and continued to Lahore, where it landed safely without issue. A post-flight inspection revealed the missing wheel, prompting an investigation by Pakistan’s CAA.
Early findings indicate the presence of loose bolts on Karachi’s departure runway, raising the possibility of a foreign object impact or improper wheel assembly. The incident highlights critical safety concerns related to landing gear integrity, runway debris management, and maintenance practices.
The aircraft remains grounded in Lahore as further technical assessments continue. The CAA will determine whether maintenance actions, material fatigue, or external factors contributed to the wheel loss.
Disclaimer
“This report is based on publicly available information and investigation updates as of 13 March 2025. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the completeness of details cannot be guaranteed. If you are the rightful owner of any referenced materials and wish for them to be removed, please email takedown@cockpitking.com.”
