Margalla Hills tragedy remembered
The ill-fated flight, Airblue ABQ-202, en route from Karachi to Islamabad, crashed into the Margalla Hills on July 28, 2010, killing all 152 people on board, including six crew members and Captain Pervez Iqbal Chaudhry.
The Safety Investigation Board (SIB), in its final report, held the pilot responsible for the accident, citing serious violations of flying discipline. The report revealed that the captain had placed the aircraft in an unsafe situation, attempting to descend in poor weather while disregarding flight procedures and air traffic control instructions.
Investigators also pointed to a breakdown in cockpit resource management and poor crew coordination, noting that despite being aware of the captain's critical mistakes, the co-pilot failed to intervene. The cockpit environment was described as "extremely tense and unpleasant," which contributed to the crew's inability to manage the situation effectively.
According to the report, the captain was aware of adverse weather conditions over Islamabad, Peshawar, and Lahore that day. At 9.36am, the crew had contacted the air traffic control tower regarding weather and wind conditions and were advised of strong crosswinds and the unavailability of the runway due to heavy clouds. Despite these warnings, the pilot attempted to land, resulting in the aircraft crashing into the hills.
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Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Express Tribune
Margalla Hills tragedy remembered
Fifteen years have passed since the tragic Airblue plane crash in the Margalla Hills, yet the pain of losing loved ones remains etched in the hearts of the bereaved families. The ill-fated flight, Airblue ABQ-202, en route from Karachi to Islamabad, crashed into the Margalla Hills on July 28, 2010, killing all 152 people on board, including six crew members and Captain Pervez Iqbal Chaudhry. The Safety Investigation Board (SIB), in its final report, held the pilot responsible for the accident, citing serious violations of flying discipline. The report revealed that the captain had placed the aircraft in an unsafe situation, attempting to descend in poor weather while disregarding flight procedures and air traffic control instructions. Investigators also pointed to a breakdown in cockpit resource management and poor crew coordination, noting that despite being aware of the captain's critical mistakes, the co-pilot failed to intervene. The cockpit environment was described as "extremely tense and unpleasant," which contributed to the crew's inability to manage the situation effectively. According to the report, the captain was aware of adverse weather conditions over Islamabad, Peshawar, and Lahore that day. At 9.36am, the crew had contacted the air traffic control tower regarding weather and wind conditions and were advised of strong crosswinds and the unavailability of the runway due to heavy clouds. Despite these warnings, the pilot attempted to land, resulting in the aircraft crashing into the hills.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Express Tribune
Remembering Airblue Flight 202
Listen to article Fifteen years ago, on July 28, 2010, Airblue Flight 202 tragically crashed into Islamabad's Margalla Hills, taking the lives of 152 individuals, including my father. For those of us who lost loved ones that day, the pain remains raw. We remember the passengers and crew who boarded that flight with dreams and plans, only for it to end in devastation. The question that has haunted us since remains: what has Pakistan done to ensure such tragedies never happen again? The answer today, thankfully, is more hopeful than it has been in the past. The years following the Airblue crash saw a series of aviation disasters, each serving as a grim reminder of systemic failures. From Bhoja Air's crash in 2012 to PIA's in Havelian in 2016, and more recently, the Air India runway overshoot in 2024 that made international headlines, the aviation world has had painful lessons. The United States has its own spate of recent aviation challenges. However, in Pakistan, we haven't seen a major aviation disaster in the last few years. For this, appropriate credit must be given. Globally, the Boeing 737 Max tragedies raised awareness about flight safety and the dangers of cutting corners. These incidents, along with others, remind us why oversight, transparency and strong safety cultures matter. A recent article in The Wall Street Journal noted that flying has become safer overall: in 2023, as many as 17 people died for every billion passengers flown, down from 50 the year before. That's real progress, driven by a culture of learning from mistakes without assigning blame — so people can report problems early and fix them before something goes wrong. It's not clear if Pakistan has adopted this mindset. Let us not mistake a break in accidents for lasting safety. The absence of crashes doesn't mean the job is done. If history has taught us anything, it's that complacency is the enemy of progress. Just a few years ago, we learned that nearly one-third of pilots in Pakistan had fake licences. That wasn't just embarrassing — it was dangerous. Some of those pilots flew for years. How was this possible? What's changed to make sure it never happens again? Fixing aviation isn't just about technology — it's about leadership. Systems and rules are only as strong as the people who enforce them. Those who run Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority must hold airlines, pilots and regulators to the highest standards. Safety checks should be routine, honest, and shared with the public. Investigations must be fair and free from pressure. We also can't forget the families. Too often, they're treated like afterthoughts — waiting months for death certificates, or struggling to get answers. We need to do better. From grief counseling to clear legal support, the system should make space for compassion, not confusion. I now serve as the mayor of Saratoga, California, a small city of 31,000 people my father once chose as home. He came here hoping for a better life for his children. I've come to see firsthand how complex government can be, even at the local level. Writing smart policy, enforcing it fairly, and making government work is hard. But it matters. My father's death, caused in part by government failure, is what drives my belief in what government can — and must — do when it's done right. It's not easy, but no one ever said it should be. Fifteen years without my father has been a lifetime of grief, but also of reflection. When I think about how far we've come, I find cautious optimism. But optimism must be coupled with action. The absence of recent crashes is not a reason to relax — it's a reason to stay alert. Let Pakistan's safety gains be a foundation to build on, not a reason to sit back. As we remember the lives lost on Airblue Flight 202 and all the tragedies that followed, let this anniversary be not just a day of mourning, but a call to action. May the next 15 years bring not only the absence of crashes, but also the presence of excellence in every aspect of Pakistan's aviation industry!
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Express Tribune
22-10-2024
- Express Tribune
Bird collided with an airplane at Lahore Airport
A bird collided with an AirSial flight at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport. According to aviation sources, the AirSial flight was en route to Karachi when the bird strike occurred. Following the incident, the pilot safely landed the plane back at the airport. Airline officials reported that the aircraft sustained minor damage due to the bird strike, and passengers were moved to the lounge. Aircraft engineers are currently inspecting the plane, and the flight will resume shortly. Earlier, An Airblue flight from Jeddah to Karachi also encountered a bird strike during its landing approach near Model Colony, Karachi. The incident occurred as the bird hit the plane's windscreen. Despite the impact, the pilot successfully landed the aircraft on the runway at Karachi airport without any further issues, sources confirmed. Flight PA 171, enroute from Saudi Arabia's jeddah, was nearing its scheduled arrival when the bird strike took place. No passengers or crew members were harmed, and the aircraft was secured safely on the ground. Further checks are expected to assess any damage caused to the plane. 38 PIA aircraft hit by birds in first six months of year In the first six months of this year, 38 aircraft of the PIA collided with birds during domestic and international flights. According to sources, the bird strike incidents occurred in Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Faisalabad, Gilgit, Sukkur, Jeddah, and Dubai airports. The affected aircraft included 31 Airbus A320s and 3 Boeing 777s. The sources reported that five of the planes sustained damage, while 35 remained unharmed. The highest number of bird strikes occurred at Lahore Airport, with 14 incidents, followed by Islamabad with seven, Multan with four, Sukkur with one, Faisalabad with one, Gilgit with one, Jeddah with one, and Dubai Airport with one. Most of these bird strike incidents happened during takeoff, landing, and approach. Alleged administrative negligence by the Civil Aviation Authority has resulted in an increased presence of birds at the country's airports. The sources said the CAA has failed to install modern equipment designed at airports to keep birds away from runways. Bird strikes, the collision between birds and aircraft, are a significant aviation safety concern. These incidents often occur during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff, landing, and approach, where the aircraft is closer to the ground and more likely to encounter birds. The impact of a bird strike can range from minor damage to severe consequences, such as engine failure or structural damage, potentially endangering the lives of passengers and crew. In recent years, the rise in bird strikes has prompted aviation authorities worldwide to enhance safety measures at airports, including habitat management, bird deterrent systems.
