Investigation Summary
The investigation revealed a profound breakdown in Crew Resource Management (CRM) and a total disregard for Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The approach was significantly 'high and fast', yet the Captain insisted on continuing rather than performing a go-around. During the descent, the landing gear was extended but then inexplicably retracted by the First Officer while the aircraft was still high, likely in an attempt to increase the sink rate or due to confusion. The aircraft touched down on its engines at high speed, grinding the accessory gearboxes and oil systems against the pavement. Despite the impact, the crew managed to lift off again. However, the damage was irreversible, leading to a dual engine flameout shortly after. The investigation also highlighted that the pilots were distracted by personal conversations, including discussions about the COVID-19 pandemic, and were likely fatigued due to fasting for Ramadan.
Final Conclusions
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) of Pakistan concluded that the primary cause was the flight crew's failure to follow standard procedures and their decision to continue an unstable approach. Contributing factors included the crew's lack of situational awareness, the retraction of the landing gear during the final approach, and the failure of Air Traffic Control to effectively intervene when the aircraft's profile was clearly unsafe. The subsequent dual engine failure resulted directly from the friction damage sustained during the initial gear-up touchdown.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Pilot Monitoring for the initial approach.
First Officer
Pilot Flying for the initial approach.
Systems & Failure Modes
Landing Gear
The gear was retracted during the final approach, leading to the engine-surface contact.
CFM56-5B4 Engines
Both engines failed after their external components were ground down during the belly landing.
GPWS
The Ground Proximity Warning System issued multiple 'Pull Up' and 'Too Low Gear' alerts which were ignored.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was an Airbus A320-214, manufactured in 2004.
- 02Only two passengers survived the crash.
- 03One person on the ground died from burn injuries ten days after the accident.
- 04The Captain had over 17,000 total flying hours.
- 05The landing gear was extended at 7,000 feet but retracted again at 1,700 feet.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Pilot License Audit
Source ↗Following the crash, an investigation into pilot credentials in Pakistan led to the grounding of 262 pilots suspected of holding 'dubious' or fake licenses.
CRM Training Overhaul
PIA was mandated to restructure its Crew Resource Management training to address the authority gradient and procedural non-compliance issues identified in the report.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Fake Pilot Licenses Scandal
Reference ↗The crash triggered a massive scandal when Pakistan's aviation minister revealed that nearly one-third of Pakistani pilots had cheated on their exams or held fake licenses, leading to a temporary ban on PIA flights to the EU and USA.