'We lost an engine': Pilot told ATC moments before crash

Karachi : Sajjad Gul, the pilot of PIA flight that crashed near Karachi airport, had informed ATC moments before the tragic incident that they have lost an engine on the plane, according to audio tapes of his last conversation played by news channel ARY.

The plane crashed in a residential area after making 2-3 failed landing attempt. It had taken off from Lahore airport with 99 passengers a little after 1 pm.

Sajjad Gul, described by Pakistan Airline Pilots Association as one of its most experienced members, had made one aborted landing attempt before reporting the technical problem that he faced, according to local media reports.

“We have lost an engine…. Mayday, Mayday, Mayday,” the pilot is heard calmly telling the traffic controllers who told him to land on any of the two runways that had been left open for him.

But the pilot went for a go-around, said PIA chief executive officer Air Vice Marshal Arshad Malik.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said he was “shocked and saddened” by the crash, tweeting that he was in touch with the airline’s chief executive.