Accident Overview
On the night of the accident, the crew initiated descent toward Karachi Airport when the aircraft impacted the slope of a mountain 1,185 feet high. The collision occurred approximately 80 km east of Karachi-Mauripur Airport, near the village of Jungshahi. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a subsequent post-crash fire. All 26 occupants on board were killed.
Aftermath
Two days after the tragedy, the operator's Air Operator Certificate (AOC) was suspended for an undetermined period.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be an error of navigation on the part of the pilot. The aircraft was not as near to Karachi Airport as the pilot reported in his last position report. Had the report been correct, the aircraft would have been past the last range of hills. However, the pilot continued to descend further after having reported at 2,500 feet at 2147 LT, contravening the standard letdown procedure at Karachi Airport, which he was practicing. The lack of visibility caused by night was considered a contributory factor.