By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Reading: Initial Findings Point to Pilot Error as likely cause of PIA Airbus A320 Crash
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Signin Sign In
Follow US
Copyright © Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2025 | All Rights Reserved
Travel Radar - Aviation News > News > Initial Findings Point to Pilot Error as likely cause of PIA Airbus A320 Crash

Initial Findings Point to Pilot Error as likely cause of PIA Airbus A320 Crash

Travel Radar
Last updated: 7 June 2020 13:34
By Travel Radar Staff
3 Min Read
Share
SHARE

Initial findings by investigation authorities suggest that pilot error cannot be ruled out as a major cause of PIA’s A320 crash.

Earlier in the week, Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said in a report, that the pilot violated landing protocol; also ignored Air Traffic Controller’s (ATC) instructions to descend from the aircraft’s current altitude.

At this early investigation stage, nothing is set in stone. The CAA report however, does highlight some potential mistakes made by the pilot.

The approach controller for one did warn the pilot twice regarding the aircraft’s speed and altitude. The letter quotes:
When aircraft was 7NM final from touchdown RWY [runway] 25L passing 5,200 feet, it was relatively high as per the standard approach profile… I again warned aircraft at 05NM from touchdown which was passing 3,500 feet… Aircraft was observed passing runway threshold at ground speed of 210 knots.

Analysis of Decoded Recorder Data

Pakistan’s Aircraft Accident and Investigation Board (AAIB) is spearheading the investigation. It requested Bureau d’Enquetes et d’Analyses (BEA) to download and decode data from the CVR and FDR, which they have now completed.

© BEA

On Friday, BEA reported that it had successfully recovered and decoded data of both flight recorders. Now the team is busy analysing the recovered data. A local news outlet reported today that the recovered data has also been handed over to Air Commodore Usman Ghani — AAIB’s president.

(1/2) ⚠️@Airbus #A320 AP-BLD @Official_PIA / travail technique - déchargement et décodage des données FDR & CVR par @BEA_Aero à la demande de l'AAIB du Pakistan est terminé / les analyses se poursuivront.

— BEA ✈️ ⚙️🔬🇫🇷 (@BEA_Aero) June 5, 2020

Preliminary Report of the Crash

© AFP

Pakistan’s aviation minister, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, announced that the final investigation report will be made public in four to six months. However, the initial report detailing preliminary findings will be released later in the month.

The provisional report will clarify some of the confusion surrounding the whole episode. Airbus and the aircraft engine manufacturer CFM, are key stakeholders in the case and could be held accountable if a technical issue with the aircraft is discovered. PIA’s ground maintenance and engineering teams are also responsible. On the other hand, “pilot error” still stands as one of the major contributors to the fatal crash.

The deadly crash that occurred on 22 May, resulted in 97 deaths and spared only two survivors. Families of the affected await answers from the investigation authorities, as they mourn their loved ones.

Travel Radar will continue monitoring events and issue an update once the initial report is made public.

You Might Also Like

Teesside Airport Launches Services in the UK
Thomas Cook Puts Airline Business Up For Sale To Raise Cash
The troubled story of the American Airlines AAirpass
Australia to Further Ease on Entry as Cairns Struggles against COVID
Qatar Airways CEO Highlights the airlines Strategic Growth at Doha Forum 2024
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link
What’s your thoughts?
Love0
Sad0
Happy1
Angry0
Travel Radar
ByTravel Radar Staff
Follow:
Articles from guest contributors wishing to remain anonymous are credited to this account. Want to contribute to Travel Radar either in-name, or anonymously? Get in touch: [email protected]
Previous Article Light Aircraft Crash in Georgia, USA.
Next Article UK Airlines Get Coronavirus Bailouts
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest

guest

2 Comments
Oldest
Newest Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Trending News

A red car driving on a road with the Hollywood sign in the background
Hotels by the Hour in LA : redefining luxury and lifestyle in the heart of the city
Travel Travel Radar
Avelo aircraft N808VL at RDU airport
Avelo Airlines Launches New Membership Programme
Airlines Aviation Points & Loyalty
OX1 Plant © OXCCU
OXCCU Raises £20.75 million to develop Sustainable Aviation Fuel from Waste Carbon
Airline Economics Aviation Manufacturing Technology
A320neo-and-A321neo-in-flight-together
Airbus A320 Overtakes Boeing 737 as Most Popular Aircraft with Record Deliveries
Aircraft Aviation Manufacturing
British AIrways Boeing 787 Dreamliner in flight
British Airways to Boost Connectivity between India and the UK
Airline Economics Airlines Aviation Route Development
//

Travel Radar is the leading digital hub for all things aviation and air-travel. Discover our latest aviation news, aviation data, insight and analysis.

Discover

  • Latest News
  • Subscribe
  • Weekly Digest
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Media Coverage
  • Press & Events
  • Join Our Team
  • Our Brands

Signup to our Newsletter!

And get the latest aviation news via our weekly news digest!

© Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2015-2025 | ISSN #2635-0696 | Trademark #UK00003579704
wpDiscuz
adbanner
Welcome to the TR Community!

Sign in to your account

Not a member? Sign Up