PIA Flight 661 Crash - A Shocking Reality

 

Tragic Crash of PIA Plane from Chitral to Islamabad

Assalam and welcome, friends,

On December 7, 2016, a PI plane was scheduled to fly from Chitral to Islamabad. The plane was to take off at 3:30 PM and land in Islamabad at 4:40 PM, marking a flight duration of 1 hour and 10 minutes. There were a total of 47 people on board, including 42 passengers and 5 crew members. Among the passengers was Junaid Jamshed, a well-known figure, and the Deputy Commissioner of Chitral.

The Plane's Troubled History

This particular aircraft had previously landed in Lahore in 2009, where it sustained damage during its flight. In 2014, its engine failed, but the issue was resolved with an engine replacement.

The Crew

• Captain: Sole Janjua, 43 years old
• Co-Pilot: Ali Akram
• Trainee Pilot: Ahmed Mansoor, 26 years old
• Flight Attendants: Sadaf Farooq and Asma Adil

The Fateful Journey

The plane took off from Chitral at 3:38 PM. The weather was fine, but the 47 people aboard had no idea this would be their final journey. The aircraft was flying over the mountains at an altitude of 5,000 feet when Captain Sole Janjua made an announcement. However, trainee pilot Ahmed Mansoor interrupted, reporting a mechanical fault in the plane's propeller electrical control. The propeller, a crucial rotating wing, propels the aircraft forward.

Mechanical Failure and Attempts to Resolve

The captain informed a flight engineer in the cockpit, and they decided to reset the propeller control. Unfortunately, the issue persisted, and an odd sound emerged from the engine. The left engine's power fluctuated before it ultimately failed. The plane began leaning to the left, and despite the pilots' best efforts, they could not stabilize it.

The Final Moments

Amidst desperate attempts to regain control, the aircraft suddenly tilted to the right due to overcompensation by the pilots. It then rapidly descended, leaving the passengers in sheer terror. Despite regaining some control, the plane again veered left at a dangerously low altitude. The captain made every effort to steer clear of the mountains, but the plane crashed near Havelian, killing everyone on board.

Aftermath and Investigations

Following the crash, villagers rushed to the site, hoping to rescue survivors, but there were none. The incident sparked severe criticism of PI, highlighting the airline's failure to address known issues in its fleet. After six days, PI's MR Saigal resigned. The black box was sent to France for analysis, and PI initially claimed no faults were present.

The Shocking Truth

The final investigation report, released in November 2018, revealed shocking details. At least three pre-existing faults caused the crash:

1. Fracture in the Turbine Blade of the Left Engine: The manufacturer, Pratt & Whitney, had warned in 2007 that engines with over 10,000 hours of blade usage were prone to failure. Despite this, the plane's blades were excessively worn.
2. Poor Condition of Bearings: The bearings in the aircraft were in extremely poor condition.
3. Fracture in the Overspeed Governor of the Left Engine: This critical component also failed.

Conclusion

The overall maintenance issues were the primary cause of this tragic accident. The 47 people who lost their lives, including Junaid Jamshed, Deputy Commissioner Chitral Usama Ahmed, Ayesha, Ehtram ul Haq, Numan Shafi, and Farhad Aziz, will be forever missed by their families. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of diligent aircraft maintenance and oversight.

Have we learned anything from these accidents? This question remains for us to ponder and act upon to prevent future tragedies.