PIA flight lands in Lahore without one tyre; investigation underway

LAHORE: A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-306 from Karachi to Lahore landed at Allama Iqbal International Airport on Monday night, later revealing that one of its rear tyres was missing, aviation sources reported.

Following the landing at 10 PM, airport officials discovered that one of the rear tyres was absent. Upon notification from Lahore Air Traffic Control (ATC), a portion of the tyre shaft was later found at Karachi Airport, sources confirmed.

Despite over 14 hours passing, the missing tyre has not been located at either Karachi or Lahore Airport. According to initial observations, the aircraft’s tyres were intact at the time of takeoff from Karachi, and it landed normally in Lahore. The aircraft also taxied without any immediate issues.

A PIA spokesperson stated that a preliminary assessment suggests the tyre might have detached mid-flight, possibly due to an external object hitting it during takeoff from Karachi. PIA’s Flight Safety Department has launched an investigation into the matter.

Aviation experts noted that the aircraft’s nose landing gear typically has two tyres, and one was missing during landing. Had the issue been detected earlier, the plane could have been diverted back to Karachi for an emergency landing.