Six years after the tragic crash of Pakistan International Airlines flight PK-8303, families of the victims continue to struggle with the pain and memories of one of Pakistan’s deadliest aviation disasters.
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On May 22, 2020, the Airbus A320 crashed into a residential area in Model Colony near Jinnah International Airport while attempting to land in Karachi. The aircraft was carrying 91 passengers and eight crew members from Lahore to Karachi.
The disaster claimed the lives of 97 people on board, while two passengers miraculously survived. One resident on the ground later died from burn injuries sustained in the crash, bringing further grief to affected families.
According to the official investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board of Pakistan, the aircraft approached the runway at excessive speed and altitude. During the first landing attempt, the plane’s engines scraped the runway after the aircraft belly-landed without properly deploying its landing gear.
The pilots then attempted a go-around, but both engines suffered severe damage and eventually failed. The aircraft lost altitude moments later and crashed into houses near the airport, triggering a massive fire.
Investigators concluded that multiple errors by both the captain and first officer contributed to the accident. The tragedy became Pakistan’s third-deadliest aviation disaster and raised serious concerns over flight safety and operational procedures within the country’s aviation sector.
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On the sixth anniversary of the crash, relatives of the victims held prayers and remembrance gatherings for those who lost their lives. Many families say the emotional wounds remain fresh, as they continue to seek justice, accountability and lasting reforms in aviation safety standards.