A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Karachi to Lahore landed safely at Allama Iqbal International Airport despite missing one of its rear wheels, triggering an urgent investigation.
The aircraft, identified as Airbus A320, had taken off from Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport with all wheels intact. However, upon arrival in Lahore, ground staff discovered that one of the wheels was missing.
The discovery prompted an immediate response from PIA’s Flight Safety Department and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), both of which launched an investigation. Officials confirmed that despite over 14 hours of search efforts at both Karachi and Lahore airports, the missing wheel had not been found.
Search for missing wheel
According to media reports citing aviation sources, Lahore’s Air Traffic Control (ATC) notified Karachi officials after the incident, leading to the discovery of part of the tire shaft on the Karachi runway. Initial reports suggest that a possible foreign object impact on the runway may have contributed to the wheel’s detachment.
PIA spokespersons emphasised that the aircraft’s design allowed for a smooth landing despite the missing wheel. Experts noted that modern jets are built with redundancy in their landing gear systems, reducing the risk of catastrophic failure even in such situations.
Investigations underway
PIA’s Flight Safety Department, alongside the CAA, is working to determine the exact cause of the incident. Investigators are also reviewing pre-flight inspection procedures at Karachi airport to understand whether the issue was overlooked before takeoff.
The airline confirmed that a specialised team had been dispatched to Lahore to examine the aircraft. Meanwhile, aviation authorities have begun scrutinising Karachi airport’s runway conditions and safety protocols.
While no injuries were reported, the incident has raised concerns over aircraft maintenance and airport inspection standards. Officials are expected to release a final report once the investigation concludes.