Flight PK631 crash near Jalkot

31 fatalities • Sialkot (Jalkot), Pakistan • Flight

A PIA flight traveling from Gilgit to Rawalpindi crashed into a mountain near Jalkot, resulting in the loss of all 31 people on board.

What happened

On a scheduled flight from Gilgit Airport to Rawalpindi, identified as PK631, an aircraft was traveling through severe weather conditions. While maintaining a cruising altitude of approximately 9,000 feet, the plane impacted a snow-covered mountain slope in the vicinity of Jalkot.

At the time of the impact, visibility was non-existent because of heavy snowfall and low cloud cover. Search efforts located the wreckage several hours after the incident. The accident resulted in 31 fatalities, with no survivors among the passengers or crew.

Findings

Investigation into the crash suggests that the crew likely experienced spatial disorientation during the flight. It is believed that this loss of orientation may have led to an unplanned or premature descent, which ultimately caused the controlled flight into terrain.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck a mountain slope due to controlled flight into terrain following a loss of orientation in poor visibility.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1972-12-08 Fokker F27 Friendship accident near Sialkot (Jalkot), Pakistan?

A PIA flight traveling from Gilgit to Rawalpindi crashed into a mountain near Jalkot, resulting in the loss of all 31 people on board.

Were there any fatalities in the 1972-12-08 Fokker F27 Friendship accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 31 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1972-12-08 involved a Fokker F27 Friendship, registration AP-AUS, operated by Pakistan International Airlines - PIA, at Sialkot (Jalkot), Pakistan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft struck a mountain slope due to controlled flight into terrain following a loss of orientation in poor visibility.

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