Crash of Bhoja Air Flight 213: All information

On April 20, 2012, Bhoja Air Flight 213, a Boeing 737-236A, tragically crashed while attempting to land at Benazir Bhutto International Airport (now Islamabad International Airport) in Islamabad, Pakistan, killing all 127 people on board . The crash remains one of the deadliest aviation accidents in Pakistan’s history and has exposed several shortcomings in the country’s aviation safety practices.

Flight background and aircraft information

• Flight number: Bhoja Air Flight 213
• Aircraft type: Boeing 737-236A
• Aircraft registration: AP-BKC
• Operator: Bhoja Sky
• Departure: Jinnah International AirportKarachi, Pakistan
• Destination: Benazir Bhutto International AirportIslamabad, Pakistan
• Flight date: April 20, 2012

The Boeing 737-200 involved had already been in service for more than a year 30 years and was one of the older aircraft in Bhoja Air’s fleet. The plane had been recently servicedalthough concerns were later raised about the airline’s maintenance practices and the age of the aircraft.

The flight and weather conditions

Bhoja Air Flight 213 took off from Karachi at approx 6:50 PM local time, with an expected arrival in Islamabad all around 8:15 PM. However, the flight was encountered heavy thunderstormsstrong wind, and heavy rain as it approached Islamabad, making landing conditions extremely challenging.

Around the time of the final approach, the weather deteriorated significantly, with thunderstorms causing downdrafts that affected the aircraft’s descent.

The crash

At approx 8:15 PMWhile trying to land, the plane lost contact with air traffic control and was no longer visible on radar. The plane crashed in a field about 5 miles (8 km) by Benazir Bhutto International Airportnear the village Rawin the Rawalpindi district. The crash site was at an altitude of approx 4,200 feet.

The firework caused by the impact engulfed the wreckage, making recovery operations extremely difficult. All tragic 127 people on board-121 passengers And 6 crew members– were killed. The crash was one of the deadliest in Pakistani aviation history.

Research and findings

The investigation into the crash was led by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA)with help from international aviation safety authorities. The Pakistan Bureau of Investigation (PIB) conducted the investigation, which identified several key factors that contributed to the disaster:

Weather conditions

The research showed that heavy weatherincluding thunderstorms, high winds and downward movementsplayed a major role in the crash. These weather conditions led to significant turbulence and loss of height during the final approach. Due to the extreme turbulence, the aircraft was unable to maintain a stable flight.

Pilot error

The pilot in command, Captain Noorullah Afridibeen over 14,000 flight hours and was considered experienced. However, the research pointed it out pilot error as an important factor. Captain Afridi continued the approach despite the deteriorating weather and failed to make one go around or divert the aircraft to an alternative airport, such as Rawalpindi or Lahorewhich could have provided safer landing conditions.

The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) revealed moments of confusion and disorientation in the cockpit. At one point Captain Afridi reported poor visibility and had difficulty finding the runway. His decision to continue the approach rather than abort or divert later proved to be a crucial mistake.

Aircraft maintenance

While maintenance The investigation considered issues but did not determine that they were the direct cause of the crash. However, the plane age and that of the airline financial difficulties raised concerns about the quality of maintenance procedures at Bhoja Air. There were suggestions that the airline may not have followed proper protocols for maintaining older aircraft, although mechanical failure did not appear to be a primary factor in the crash.

Air traffic control and communications

The investigation has also raised concerns air traffic control (ATC) procedures. Communication is lost between the flight crew and air traffic control contributed to the confusion and mismanagement during the final approach. Although ATC provided standard landing instructions, they did not provide sufficient guidance given the severe weather conditions. There were no clear recommendations from ATC divert the flight or start one go around.

Aftermath and impact

Victims and public reaction

The loss of 127 lives the crash of Bhoja Air Flight 213 sent shockwaves across Pakistan. The tragedy has deeply affected the families of the victims, many of whom are businessmen, professionals and their families. In addition to the emotional toll, the crash raised serious concerns about the safety practices of Pakistan’s aviation industry.

The collapse of Bhoja Air

After the crash, Bhoja air faced significant scrutiny. The airline resumed operations in 2011 after being grounded in 2010 due to financial difficulties. In the aftermath of the crash, questions were raised about the airline safety standards and its ability to maintain and operate aging aircraft. Bhoja Air was well-founded shortly after the incident and ceased operations completely 2013.

Industry reforms and lessons learned

The crash of Bhoja Air Flight 213 highlighted several significant problems in Pakistan’s aviation industry and led to calls for reform, including:

• Pilot training: Improving training in dealing with adverse weather conditions, especially with regard to decision-making and its importance restart And distraction.
• Aircraft maintenance: Stricter regulations for the maintenance of older aircraftespecially for financially troubled airlines. The quality of maintenance of aging fleets became a concern.
• Air traffic control: Ensuring better communication and coordination between air traffic controllers and flight crew, especially in critical circumstances, could have prevented the disaster.

Conclusion

The crash of Bhoja Air Flight 213 was caused by a combination of heavy weather, pilot errorAnd communication is lost. The loss of 127 lives This tragic event raised widespread concerns about the safety of Pakistan’s aviation industry. It led to calls for reforms in the country training of pilots, aircraft maintenanceAnd air traffic control procedures, and emphasized the crucial importance of safety in the industry.