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This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
Aerial & Maritime Search And Rescue Operations Underway
Tuesday, July 7th, 9:30 PM EST
The Pakistan Airports Authority added that it had established a rescue coordination center, and a coordinated search and rescue effort had been launched at sea with aerial support in an attempt to locate the msising aircraft and five crew members. According to a statement obtained by The Express Tribune, sources state the Pakistan Navy has dispatched warship PNS Zulfiqar to the affected area.
In addition, a Pakistan Air Force SAAB aircraft and Pakistan Navy ATR turboprop aircraft have joined the search from above. It added that a commercial ship operated by the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation was also deployed to aid in the search and rescue operations.
Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority Statement
Tuesday, July 7th, 6:00 PM EST
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority has released a statement regarding the suspected crash on its website:
K2 Airways B 737 of Pakistan Cargo Flight enroute from Sharjah to Karachi at time 2118PST reported Navigational system issue and was promptly guided by KARACHI ACC. However; at time 2121PST aircraft was observed on RADAR rapidly descending and with rapid heading change, subsequently RADAR contact and communication was lost approximately 155 NM west of Karachi.
Following the occurrence RESCUE COORD CENTRE has been activated and coordinated Search & Rescue launched at sea through various agencies to locate the missing aircraft.There were five crew members onboard the aircraft.
About The Aircraft
Tuesday, July 7th, 5:52 PM EST
The aircraft involved in the suspected crash is currently registered as AP-BOI, seen in the photo above with its previous registration. According to ch-avitaion, the plane is 27.5 years old. It was ordered in April 1997, taking its first flight in January 1999. The Boeing 737-400 is owned by AerCap, and currently operated by K2 Airways.
The aircraft was delivered to Aeroflot as a passenger variant on April 27th, 1999. The Russian flag carrier flew the jet for five years through April 2004. It then joined the Garuda Indonesia fleet from July 2004 to June 2011. After its second passenger stint, it was converted into a freighter. It flew for ASL Airlines as OE-IAT from 2012 to 2024. It was then re-registered as VP-CFG (pictured above), before joining the K2 Airways fleet as AP-BOI in July 2024.
Initial Reporting
Tuesday, July 7th, 4:45 PM EST
A K2 Airways Boeing 737-400 freighter has gone missing over the Arabian Sea after reporting a navigational system malfunction while operating a cargo flight from Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) in the United Arab Emirates to Jinnah International Airport (KHI) in Karachi, Pakistan. Pakistani authorities have launched a coordinated search and rescue operation after the aircraft disappeared from radar late Tuesday evening. As of publication, officials have not confirmed that the aircraft has crashed, and the operation remains focused on locating the missing aircraft and its five crew members.
The aircraft, operating as K2 Airways Flight KTA1732, reportedly experienced a technical issue shortly before contact was lost. Flight tracking data and statements from aviation authorities indicate the Boeing 737 entered a rapid descent and made a sharp change in heading before disappearing from both radar and radio communications approximately 155 nautical miles (287 kilometers) west of Karachi. While the aircraft’s final moments have fueled speculation of a possible accident, investigators have cautioned that no official determination has been made.
Aircraft Vanished Minutes After Reporting Technical Issue
According to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), the crew reported a navigational system problem to the Karachi Area Control Centre at approximately 9:18 PM Pakistan Standard Time. Air traffic controllers immediately began providing navigational assistance as the aircraft continued toward Karachi. Within about three minutes, radar data showed the Boeing 737 descending rapidly while simultaneously making a significant heading change. Data from FlightRadar24.com shows the aircraft was cruising at 35,000 feet until 16:18UTC. Its altitude reading then dipped to 29,475 feet a minute later before climbing to a peak of 36,650 feet a minute after that. The final two altitdue readings recorded by the flight tracking service were as follows:
- 16:20:15UTC – 34,575 Feet
- 16:21:59UTC – 1,100 Feet
Contact with the aircraft was then lost, prompting the activation of the country’s Rescue Coordination Centre and the launch of a multi-agency search operation over the Arabian Sea. Authorities said five crew members were aboard the cargo aircraft. Public flight tracking data shows the aircraft, registered AP-BOI, transmitting ADS-B data until shortly before it disappeared. The tracking information is consistent with a major in-flight event, but officials have not confirmed a crash. Aviation analysts note that flight tracking data alone cannot establish the cause of an incident and must be supported by official investigative findings.
Extensive Search Operation Underway
Pakistani authorities have mobilized naval, military, and civilian assets to search the area where radar contact was lost. The operation involves coordination between the Pakistan Airports Authority, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force, and maritime agencies tasked with locating the missing aircraft and its crew.
Local media reports indicate naval vessels and surveillance aircraft have been dispatched to the search zone in the Arabian Sea. Officials have not released any information indicating that wreckage, emergency locator signals, or survivors have been found. The search area remains challenging due to the aircraft’s last reported position over open water. Although several media outlets have published reports suggesting the aircraft may have crashed into the sea, those claims have not been officially confirmed by the Pakistan Airports Authority. Aviation authorities continue to describe the aircraft as missing while search and rescue efforts remain active.
