Private airline flight to Lahore escapes disaster, caught in heavy turbulence

• The pilot flew aircraft back to Karachi for safety.
• At least 57 passengers refused to continue journey.
• We hit at least five massive air pockets: passenger.
  

LAHORE: A private airline flight from Karachi to Lahore narrowly avoided a major accident on Saturday as it was caught in a severe storm while attempting to land at Allama Iqbal International Airport, officials said.

Flight FL-842 encountered intense turbulence mid-air and unstable conditions during landing, forcing a go-around.

“The descent was smooth — no jolts, no signs of trouble. But the moment the plane’s wheels touched the runway, everything changed. A powerful sandstorm slammed into the aircraft, and within seconds, the pilot aborted the landing and took off again," a passenger narrated his experience.

He added: "What followed was easily one of the most terrifying experiences I’ve ever had in the air. For the next 10 to 12 minutes, the plane was caught in the heart of a violent sandstorm. Visibility dropped to zero, thick sand swirled around us, and the wind was so fierce it felt like the plane was being tossed around like a kite in a hurricane.

"We hit at least five massive air pockets, each time the plane dropped hundreds of feet. Passengers screamed with every sudden plunge. Some cried out in fear, others clutched their seats or the hands of strangers. It was chaos inside, while outside the storm raged on.

"Then, suddenly, everything changed. As the plane climbed higher, the sand began to fade. Visibility slowly returned, and we emerged into bright, blinding sunlight above the clouds. The violent wind that had battered us just moments earlier vanished, and for a brief, surreal moment, it felt like we were standing still in the sky.

"A collective sigh of relief spread through the cabin. Passengers looked out the windows in awe, some with tears in their eyes. Quiet prayers of thanks and whispered words of gratitude to God filled the air.

"I’ve flown through turbulence all over the world, but nothing comes close to this. It was a reminder of just how small we are in the face of nature — and how extraordinary it is to come through the storm.”

The pilot, following instructions from air traffic control, flew the aircraft back to Karachi to ensure the safety of those on board.

Meanwhile, 57 passengers of the same flight have refused to continue their journey due to the terrifying experience, airport sources said.

According to passengers, the aircraft was caught in intense turbulence at least five times as it approached Lahore airport. “The plane was violently jolted in the air, and even during the attempted landing,” one passenger said.

“The pilot eventually aborted the landing and flew the aircraft back to Karachi.”

After landing safely in Karachi, the aircraft was refuelled and prepared for a second attempt to Lahore once the weather improved. However, dozens of distressed passengers disembarked and cancelled their travel plans.

The offboarding of these passengers, along with the return of their luggage, caused further delays in the flight's re-departure to Lahore, sources added.

They further said that at least two flights arriving at Lahore airport were diverted to Karachi due to the storm and poor weather conditions. A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Islamabad to Lahore was also redirected to Karachi.

Additionally, the departure of two Karachi-bound flights from Lahore was delayed due to ongoing bad weather.

However, as weather conditions improved in Lahore, arrivals and departures at Allama Iqbal International Airport resumed, with flights PK-305 and PA-405 departing for Karachi.