Date: 24th December 2024
Location: Karachi Airport (KHI), Pakistan
Aircraft: Airbus A320-200, registration AP-BLZ
Operator: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
Flight Number: PK-300
Route: Karachi (Pakistan) to Islamabad (Pakistan)
Occupants: Not specified
Injuries: None
Summary of Events
On 24th December 2024, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Flight PK-300, an Airbus A320-200, returned to Karachi shortly after departure due to an inability to retract the landing gear. The flight crew halted the climb at FL070 and opted to return to the departure airport. The aircraft landed safely on Karachi’s Runway 25L approximately 20 minutes after takeoff.
A replacement aircraft was dispatched to continue the journey to Islamabad, resulting in a delay of approximately three hours. The occurrence aircraft was inspected and returned to service about 10.5 hours later.
Sequence of Events
1. Departure:
• Flight PK-300 departed Karachi’s Runway 07R as scheduled.
2. Landing Gear Issue Detected:
• Shortly after takeoff, the flight crew encountered an issue preventing the landing gear from retracting.
3. Return Decision:
• The crew stopped the climb at FL070 and informed Air Traffic Control (ATC) of their decision to return to Karachi for a precautionary landing.
4. Safe Landing:
• The aircraft landed without incident on Runway 25L. Emergency services were on standby but were not needed.
5. Passenger Continuation:
• Passengers were accommodated on a replacement Airbus A320-200 (AP-BMY), which departed for Islamabad with a delay of three hours.
6. Aircraft Maintenance:
• Engineers inspected and resolved the landing gear issue, allowing the occurrence aircraft to return to service about 10.5 hours after landing.
Aircraft Details
• Type: Airbus A320-200
• Registration: AP-BLZ
• Engines: CFM56-5B
• Configuration: Passenger aircraft
Initial Findings
1. Landing Gear Retraction Issue:
• The inability to retract the landing gear suggests a potential mechanical fault or hydraulic system anomaly.
2. Safety Response:
• The flight crew’s prompt decision to return to Karachi ensured the safety of all onboard.
3. Impact on Operations:
• The incident caused minimal disruption, with passengers reaching their destination after a short delay.
Recommendations
1. Maintenance Checks:
• Conduct a thorough inspection of the landing gear system, focusing on hydraulic components and mechanical linkages, to identify the root cause.
2. Flight Crew Training:
• Reinforce crew training for handling gear retraction issues, ensuring efficient and calm responses in similar scenarios.
3. Operational Procedures:
• Review and optimise procedures for rapid replacement aircraft deployment to minimize passenger inconvenience.
Safety Lessons
This event underscores the importance of robust aircraft maintenance and crew decision-making in mitigating technical issues. The swift return to Karachi and the successful resolution of the problem highlight the effectiveness of modern safety protocols and operational support systems.
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Our investigation reports are based on all the evidence and facts we have at the time of writing and posting. We apologise if any details are missed or are not fully accurate.
