A domestic Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight landed at Lahore Airport with a missing wheel, raising concerns over the safety of the Pakistani national carrier.

However, the flight landed safely, and no injuries were reported.

After the flight landed at the airport, the flight captain inspected PK-306, which left from Karachi for Lahore, when the missing wheel was located.

As per the standard practice, the matter was taken up by the PIA’s Flight Safety and Bureau of Air Safety investigation teams for a thorough probe. The reports have yet to be submitted, Dawn News reported.

Missing Wheel Located

A PIA spokesperson later said the missing PIA wheel had been located.

  “The missing wheel of PK-306 has been located successfully. The wheel was found near the remote parking bay of Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, adjacent to the Ispahani Hangar,” the spokespersons told Dawn News.

“Technicians from the airport’s wheel shop discovered the tire next to the landing gear of a grounded Boeing 777,” he said.

An official source told Dawn that there was a possibility that the aircraft A320’s wheel might have been dislodged during takeoff, falling off at the Isphani Hanger.

“Had the required inspection by the engineering team of the aircraft been properly conducted, the plane might not be cleared for departure,” he said.

PIA Privatisation

The Pakistani government recently said it would take all necessary steps to privatise Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Ltd (PIACL) in three months.

“The government has addressed all concerns of the parties interested in buying the national flag carrier and decided to make changes as per their preferences. A new roadmap is being developed to make PIA more attractive for the prospective buyers, and it is expected that all stages of this process will be completed within three months,” the government told Dawn News.