PIA Flight 8303 – Karachi Gear-Up Crash
Date of Incident: May 22, 2020
Location: Model Colony, near Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, Pakistan
🧭 What Happened
Pakistan International Airlines Flight 8303, an Airbus A320, crashed into a residential area during a go-around attempt after a gear-up landing at Karachi. The aircraft had touched down on its engines, damaging both, and lost thrust during the second approach. Of the 99 onboard, 97 were killed. One person on the ground also died from injuries sustained in the crash.
✈️ Aircraft Details
Flight Number: PK8303 / PIA8303
Aircraft Type: Airbus A320-214
Registration: AP-BLD
Departure: Lahore Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE)
Destination: Karachi Jinnah International Airport (KHI)
Fatalities: 97 onboard + 1 ground
Survivors: 2 passengers
🔍 Key Factors
The aircraft was on an unstable approach — too high and fast. Despite ATC warnings, the crew continued. Landing gear was retracted at 1,740 ft, and the aircraft touched down on its engines. A go-around was initiated, but both engines failed due to damage. The aircraft crashed 1,340 m short of the runway during the second approach.
📆 Timeline of Events
- 08:05 UTC – Departure from Lahore
- 09:24 UTC – Contact with Karachi ATC; cleared for ILS 25L
- 09:35 UTC – Gear-up touchdown on runway; engines scrape tarmac
- 09:36 UTC – Go-around initiated
- 09:39 UTC – Emergency declared: dual engine failure
- 09:40 UTC – Aircraft crashes into Model Colony
🎙️ Cockpit Voice & Flight Data
“We are comfortable now… established ILS 25L.” — First Officer
“Mayday, Mayday, Mayday — we have lost engines.” — Captain
The CVR revealed non-operational chatter during approach and lack of checklist discipline. The FDR showed gear retraction before touchdown and engine parameters degrading post-impact. Both recorders were recovered and analyzed by AAIB Pakistan, BEA France, and NTSB USA.
⚙️ Aircraft Systems & Failures
- Landing gear retracted before touchdown
- Engines scraped runway, causing oil loss and damage
- Dual engine failure during go-around
- RAT deployed; insufficient altitude to reach runway
🛡️ Aftermath and Reforms
- Final report published April 2023 by AAIB Pakistan
- Pilot error cited: overconfidence, SOP violations, poor CRM
- ATC criticized for lack of timely communication
- PIA and CAA urged to improve flight data monitoring and oversight
- Memorials held in Karachi and Lahore