A K2 Airways cargo plane disappeared from radar late on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, while flying from Sharjah to Karachi, triggering a large-scale search and rescue operation across the Arabian Sea. Pakistani authorities launched a search and rescue operation at sea to locate the missing cargo flight with five crew members on board, after it lost communication near Karachi, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed.
What Happened to the K2 Airways Cargo Plane
A K2 Airways Boeing 737 cargo aircraft on a flight from Sharjah to Karachi went missing after reporting a navigational system malfunction, prompting authorities to launch a large-scale search and rescue operation, the PAA said in a statement.
At 21:18 PST, the crew reported a navigational issue to the Karachi Area Control Centre (ACC) and was promptly guided. However, within three minutes, at 21:21 PST, the aircraft was observed on radar rapidly descending with a rapid heading change. Radar contact and communication were subsequently lost approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi.
Flight tracking data showed the aircraft made an unexpected right turn before plunging into a steep descent at an estimated rate of up to 15,000 feet per minute. The final ADS-B data point placed the aircraft at 1,100 feet with a vertical rate of -22,400 feet per minute before it disappeared from radar.
Despite repeated attempts by air traffic control to establish communication, no further response was received from the cockpit.
About the Aircraft on Flight KTA-1732
According to Flightradar24, the missing aircraft, registration AP-BOI, is a Boeing 737-4M0 (BDSF) freighter that entered service with K2 Airways in 2024. Originally delivered to Russia’s Aeroflot in 1999 as a passenger aircraft, it later served Indonesia’s Garuda before being converted into a cargo aircraft in 2012. It subsequently operated with TNT Airways and ASL Airlines before joining K2 Airways.
According to sources, the aircraft had previously experienced a technical fault and had been flown to Sharjah for repairs. It remained there for five days before beginning its return journey to Karachi as a ferry flight, meaning it was operating without cargo. Sources added that maintenance work was carried out by a company identified as Northern Techniques before the aircraft was cleared for its return flight.
The missing cargo aircraft was being flown by Captain Rizwan Idrees and Faisal Jatoi.
The Search and Rescue Operation
Following the incident, the PAA activated the Rescue Coordination Centre, triggering a multi-agency search and rescue operation involving naval, air and maritime assets to locate the missing aircraft and its five-member crew.
Multiple defence and civilian agencies have been deployed. Here is a breakdown of the assets in the field:
- Pakistan Navy: Warship PNS Zulfiqar was deployed, while a Pakistan Air Force Saab 2000 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft and a Pakistan Navy ATR aircraft also joined the aerial search.
- Pakistan Air Force: A Saab airborne early warning and control aircraft was deployed from Bholari Airbase in Sindh to conduct aerial surveillance over the search area.
- Pakistan Navy ATR: An ATR aircraft operating from Turbat joined the operation to expand aerial search coverage across the Arabian Sea.
- Pakistan National Shipping Corporation: Commercial vessel Lahore was also deployed for the search and rescue operation.
Global flight-tracking service Flightradar24 said preliminary ADS-B data suggested a possible crash, although the information had yet to be officially confirmed.
What We Know and Do Not Know Yet
Pakistan’s civil aviation authorities are expected to launch a formal investigation to determine whether mechanical failure, equipment malfunction, or other operational factors contributed to the crash.
Officials have not confirmed whether an emergency distress signal was transmitted before communication was lost. Family members of the crew have been informed about the incident, while authorities continue efforts to locate the aircraft and determine the fate of those on board.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the incident, and the search operation remains underway as investigators continue efforts to determine the aircraft’s location and the circumstances surrounding the loss of communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is K2 Airways and what was this flight?
The cargo aircraft belonged to K2 Airways and was operating flight number KTA-1732 from Sharjah to Karachi. K2 Airways is a Pakistani private cargo airline. The K2 Airways cargo plane on this particular route was a ferry flight, returning to Pakistan after completing maintenance work in the UAE.
When and where did contact with the aircraft go missing?
Within three minutes, at 9:21pm, the aircraft was observed making a rapid descent accompanied by an abrupt change in heading before radar and all communication were lost approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi. Some sources indicate the last known position was near the Ormara area off the Balochistan coast.
How many people were on board the missing plane?
The aircraft, identified as K2 Airways Flight KTA-1732, was carrying five crew members. No passengers were on board, as this was a cargo and ferry flight. The PAA has confirmed the five crew count but has not yet released the full names of all those aboard.
Has the aircraft been found?
As of the time of writing, the K2 Airways cargo plane had not been officially located. Maritime search operations remain underway, with rescue teams covering a wide area of the Arabian Sea using naval vessels, surveillance aircraft, and commercial shipping support. Officials said the causes of the accident will be determined after the investigation.
