Islamabad: A cargo aircraft carrying five crew members has gone missing off the coast of Karachi after rapidly descending and losing contact with air traffic controllers during a flight from the United Arab Emirates, Pakistani authorities said. A search and rescue operation is underway in the Arabian Sea.

The Boeing 737, operated by Karachi-based K2 Airways, was flying from Sharjah to Karachi when it reported a navigation system problem at 9.18 pm local time on Tuesday, according to Pakistan's airport authority.

Aircraft lost contact after rapid descent

The airport authority said radar data showed the aircraft descending rapidly and making a sharp change in direction at around 9.21 pm. Radar and radio contact were then lost about 155 nautical miles (287 km) west of Karachi.

The cause of the aircraft's disappearance has not yet been established.

Following the loss of contact, authorities activated the Rescue Coordination Centre and launched search and rescue operations in the Arabian Sea. Multiple civilian and military agencies have been deployed to locate the missing aircraft.

Pakistan's airport authority said the operation was continuing, while updates were also posted on its official X account.

Military and civilian agencies join search

Pakistan's military and civilian authorities have deployed several air and sea assets for the search effort.

According to officials, the Pakistan Navy frigate PNS Zulfiqar was diverted to the area where the aircraft was last detected. The Pakistan Air Force also deployed aircraft, while a Pakistan Navy ATR aircraft departed from Turbat to assist in the operation.

The Pakistan National Shipping Corporation also dispatched a merchant vessel to take part in the search.

Expert says sudden descent raises questions

Aviation expert Imran Aslam told local broadcaster ARY News that it was too early to determine what caused the aircraft to disappear from radar.

He said that even in the event of an engine failure, an aircraft would generally continue gliding rather than descend abruptly.

"I still cannot understand how the plane went down so abruptly instead of gliding," he said.

According to the airline's website, K2 Airways is a private cargo carrier based in Karachi and was established in May 2018.

Pakistan's recent aviation tragedy

The incident recalls the Pakistan International Airlines crash in May 2020, when an Airbus carrying 98 people crashed into a residential neighbourhood near Karachi airport while attempting to land.

All but one passenger died. A government investigation later concluded that human error by the pilot, co-pilot and air traffic control contributed to the crash.