Claims of existing technical fault baseless, engines were fine: PIA spox

A PIA spokesperson on Sunday denied claims that the PK-661 crash was due to existing technical faults in the aircraft engine and said such speculation may have adverse impact on public perception.

The spokesperson said it is too soon to say that one of the ill-fated plane’s fans was rotating the wrong way. He stated that at takeoff time, both engines were working perfectly fine.

Therefore, it is likely that some technical issue developed during the flight which led to the crash, he said. 

The official said that inquiry into the incident by the Safety Investigation Board is underway.

An initial report by the Civil Aviation Authority on Friday revealed that the left engine of the ill-fated PIA PK-661 plane had exploded before the crash which resultantly damaged the left wing.

According to the report, the plane’s engine failed at a height of approximately 13,000 feet. At that height, the plane could have glided about 15 to 25 km. However, the engine after failing soon exploded and also badly damaged the left wing, leaving the aircraft unable to even glide.