Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Aviation Secretary Irfan Elahi on Thursday told the Senate’s Committee on Rules and Procedure that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had travelled to Gwadar in the ATR plane which crashed near Havelian.

The committee meeting was chaired by Jahanzeb Jamaldini. The Civil Aviation Authority secretary presented the report of black box of ATR aircraft that crashed on December 8, 2016. He said that when the aircraft took off from Chitral both engines were in good condition.

According to the report, the pilot called control tower at 4:12pm and his voice was normal and he did not mention any fault, but after two minutes of the call he gave mayday call.

AT 4:17pm the aircraft moved its position from south to east and that was the time when pilot made last call and the plane crashed. The secretary said, “After 10 to 15 minutes we got information that the plane had been crashed.”

He also said the data of black box remained secure and according to black box report pilot did not try to land the plane. The remains of the plane had been shifted to Islamabad for further investigation.

The committee members demanded a free and fair inquiry into the incident and said PIA should take necessary steps for the safety of the passengers.