Pilot of PIA plane reported fault in previous flight

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft that crashed on Wednesday in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa killing all 47 people on board had developed a technical  fault during a previous Gilgit-Islamabad flight, sources told Geo News on Thursday.

Quoting sources in the aviation department, the TV channel reported that pilot who had operated the flight had made an entry into logbook about the fault in the aircraft.

The sources said the fault had affected engine of the plane when it was airborne. The investigators have yet to ascertain whether the problem was fixed before the aircraft was allowed to fly. The ill-fated plane came down near Havelian while returning to the federal capital, killing 47 people including Junaid Jamshed.

The ATR-42 aircraft involved in the crash had undergone regular maintenance, including an "A-check" certification in October, said airline chairman Muhammad Azam Saigol on Wednesday.

"I want to make it clear that it was a perfectly sound aircraft," Saigol said.

The aircraft appeared to have suffered a failure in one of its two turboprop engines just before the crash, he added, but this would have to be confirmed by an investigation.

"I think there was no technical error or human error," Saigol told a news conference late on Wednesday. "Obviously there will be a proper investigation."

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Thursday directed that a detailed, independent and transparent inquiry into the unfortunate crash be held by the Safety Investigation Board.

“The inquiry should be completed at the earliest. It is imperative that the truth should be brought out and shared with the people in the shortest possible time,” the Prime Minister said while chairing a meeting to inquire about the circumstances around the unfortunate PIA ATR crash near Havelian on Wednesday, said a statement.