The flight data and cockpit voice recorders of the Pakistan International Airlines Airbus A320 that crashed on 22 May have been recovered. Media reports from Pakistan quote PIA as saying that both devices were found on Saturday 23 May, a day after the aircraft crashed in an urban area. The aircraft had operated flight PK8303 from Lahore and crashed while the crew attempted to conduct a go-around. Video images on social media purporting to show the aircraft’s final moments indicate that it descended into a built-up area with a high nose attitude and its landing-gear deployed. The aircraft bore the registration AP-BLD (MSN 2274), and 91 passengers and eight crew were aboard. Reports from Pakistan suggest that the death toll stands at 97. While some of those on the aircraft survived the disaster, there were fatalities on the ground. Fleet data shows that AP-BLD is managed by GECAS. It served with China Eastern Airlines from 2003 to 2014, when it moved to PIA. It was powered by a pair of CFM International CFM56 engines. Pakistan will lead the inquiry with assistance from Airbus through French investigation authority BEA. PIA and CFM will also support the probe.

Source: Cirium

Fifty firefighters and other emergency personnel in Belfast have attended a blaze at the Bombardier Aerospace facility, near the city’s airport, which has been brought under control. The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service says it received a call at 20:45 on 24 May alerting it to the incident. It states that it responded within two minutes to the occurrence, involving a “factory unit” on fire. Six firefighting pumping appliances and an aerial appliance, along with a high-volume pump, attended the scene. The fire service disclosed at about 23:00 that the situation was “under control” with operations being scaled back and turning to damping-down. No-one was injured. The function of the facility affected has not been specified. Bombardier Aerospace’s Belfast operation includes manufacture of a range of aerostructures including fuselage, stabiliser and nacelles for executive jets. It had also been the supplier to the commercial aircraft programmes, producing wings for the Airbus A220 – formerly the Bombardier C-series – before the production arm was sold to Spirit AeroSystems. Bombardier also produces fuselage sections for the CRJ regional jet programme, which is being divested to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. According to the fire service, the blaze “appears to have started in machinery” but the cause is still under investigation. It states, however, that the fire is “believed to be accidental”. The extent of damage, or any disruption to operations, is not clear.

Source: Cirium

Pakistan’s prime minister, Imran Khan, has expressed shock after an aircraft operated by flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines crashed in a built-up area of Karachi. Khan says that PIA chief Arshad Malik is heading for the city following the accident involving an Airbus A320 arriving from Lahore. “An immediate inquiry will be instituted,” says Khan. Television station Geo News reports that the flight involved is PK8303 and that the aircraft came down in a populated area. It adds that 98 occupants were on board, comprising 91 passengers and seven crew members. Social media images show a chaotic scene with extensive damage to several buildings, black smoke, and rescue vehicles working their way through crowds on the streets. Pakistan Army Aviation Corps helicopters have been dispatched for “damage assessment and rescue efforts”, according to the Pakistan armed forces spokesman, along with urban search teams. The spokesman says troops and civil administration personnel have reached the area for relief work. Circumstances of the accident are unclear. Meteorological data from Karachi airport indicate good visibility and no adverse weather conditions.

Source: Cirium