Pak Airlines flight lands in Lahore with one wheel missing, probe launched

Pakistan Airlines (PIA) has initiated a probe after a flight, PK 306, travelling from Karachi to Lahore, landed at Allama Iqbal Airport missing one of its wheels, according to reports.

The PIA flight PK306 en route from Karachi to Lahore landed at Allama Iqbal Airport with one of the six rear wheels missing on Wednesday.

According to a PIA spokesperson, the flight made a smooth landing upon arrival. However, he noted that a rear wheel was found missing upon inspection.

Reports cited by Pakistan's Express Tribune suggest the wheel was intact when the plane departed from Karachi. The aircraft landed normally and taxied at Lahore airport. Following a notification from Lahore's Air Traffic Control (ATC), a section of the tyre shaft was found at Karachi airport.

The wheel is still missing even 14 hours after the incident, Pakistan's Express Tribune reported while citing sources.

According to a preliminary probe by the Civil Aviation Authority, an external object striking the runway of the Karachi airport might have resulted in the missing rear wheel.

The PIA spokesperson further stated that the passengers faced no danger throughout the incident as the aircraft was designed to handle such contingencies.