The final communication from the pilot of a Boeing 737 that disappeared over the Arabian Sea has been revealed, sparking a search operation to find those onboard after the wreckage was located at sea. Air traffic control lost contact with the cargo plane, suspected to have five individuals onboard, on Tuesday before it rapidly descended off the coast of Pakistan.
The pilot’s last message suggested a struggle to control the aircraft, describing the PNS Zulfiqar as “rolling or floating,” indicating a potential critical issue with the flight system. “Rolling” refers to tilting from side to side, which can be intentional during turns but can indicate a serious problem like flight control failure if uncommanded. “Floating” is commonly associated with landing, where the plane remains airborne above the runway due to factors like excessive speed or ground effect.
The Boeing 737, operated by K2 Airways based in Karachi, reported a navigation system fault during its cargo flight from Sharjah to Karachi. Radar data showed the plane rapidly descending and making a sudden directional change before losing communication, approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi. Tracking information indicated a significant descent rate of 22,400 feet per minute, with the aircraft dropping around 35,000 feet in less than two minutes.
The aircraft, part of Boeing’s 737 fleet, was originally a passenger plane for Russia’s Aeroflot in 1999 before conversion to a cargo carrier in 2012. It is the only plane in K2 Airways’ fleet and has been in service with the airline since 2024. K2 Airways, a private Pakistani freight carrier, operates scheduled and charter cargo services, linking domestic and international destinations.
An extensive search and rescue operation involving naval and air force personnel is ongoing to locate the crew of the cargo plane. The incident has raised concerns due to the aircraft’s sudden descent and the circumstances surrounding its disappearance.
