radar contact lost Archives

Karachi, Pakistan: A Pakistan-registered K2 Airways cargo aircraft carrying five crew members went missing over the Arabian Sea late on July 7 after reporting a technical problem while en route from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates to Karachi. As of the latest official update on July 8, authorities have not confirmed a crash, and an extensive multi-agency search and rescue operation remains underway. According to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), the Boeing 737 freighter was operating a scheduled cargo service from Sharjah to Karachi when the crew reported a navigational system issue at 9:18 p.m. Pakistan Standard Time (PST). Air traffic controllers at the Karachi Area Control Centre (ACC) immediately began assisting the flight. In an official statement, the PAA said, "K2 Airways B737 of Pakistan Cargo Flight en route from Sharjah to Karachi at time 2118 PST reported a navigational system issue and was promptly guided by Karachi ACC." However, only three minutes later, the situation deteriorated rapidly. The authority said that at 9:21 p.m. PST, radar displayed the aircraft making a rapid descent along with a sharp change in heading before both radar and radio contact were lost. The aircraft's last known position was approximately 155 nautical miles (287 km/178 miles) west of Karachi over the Arabian Sea. The PAA stated, "However, at 2121 PST, aircraft were observed on radar rapidly descending and with rapid heading change, subsequently radar contact and communication was lost approximately 155 nautical miles west of Karachi." The missing aircraft was a Boeing 737 cargo aircraft operated by Karachi-based K2 Airways, a Pakistani cargo airline that commenced operations in late 2024. Early flight-tracking data reviewed by Flightradar24 showed the aircraft experiencing a series of abrupt altitude changes before entering a steep final descent. While those data have led to speculation that the aircraft may have crashed into the sea southwest of Karachi, Pakistani authorities have not officially confirmed a crash. Immediately after communication was lost, Pakistan activated its Rescue Coordination Center, launching a coordinated search operation in the Arabian Sea. The search involves multiple agencies, including the: Pakistan Navy Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) Rescue Coordination Center Merchant vessels operating in the area According to official updates and Associated Press, the operation includes a Pakistan Navy frigate, a naval ATR maritime patrol aircraft, additional naval and air assets, and nearby commercial ships that have been directed to assist in locating the aircraft and its crew. The Pakistan Airports Authority said, "Following the occurrence, the Rescue Coordination Center was activated, and a coordinated Search & Rescue operation at sea was launched through various agencies to locate the missing aircraft." Authorities have confirmed that five crew members were on board. No passengers were being carried. K2 Airways has identified the five crew members on board as Pilot-in-Command Mohammad Rizwan Idrees, First Officer Faisal Mehmood, Load Master Muhammad Toufique Khan, and Engineers Arif Siddiqui and Mohammad Hamid. No wreckage, emergency locator beacon signals, debris, or survivors have been officially located, and the cause of the aircraft's disappearance remains unknown. K2 Airways said it is fully cooperating with investigators and government agencies. In a statement shared by the airline, it said, "We continue to pray, earnestly, for the safety of our colleagues." Aviation analyst Imran Aslam told the Associated Press that the aircraft's sudden descent was unusual, noting that even following an engine failure, an aircraft would typically continue gliding rather than descend so rapidly, adding further uncertainty about what may have occurred during the flight's final moments. The incident is now expected to be investigated by Pakistan's aviation authorities once the aircraft is located. Until then, officials have urged against speculation while search teams continue combing the Arabian Sea.

Pakistan Cargo Missing Over Arabian Sea With Five Crew On Board After Technical Issue

Aviation Today News Desk / July 8, 2026

Karachi, Pakistan: A Pakistan-registered K2 Airways cargo aircraft carrying five crew members went missing over the Arabian Sea late on […]

Ruidoso, United States: A medical transport aircraft operating in New Mexico crashed in rugged mountainous terrain near Ruidoso early Thursday morning, killing all four people on board and igniting a wildfire in the surrounding forest, according to local authorities and federal aviation officials. The aircraft, operated by Trans Aero MedEvac, a Beechcraft King Air 90 departed from Roswell Air Center and was en route to Sierra Blanca Regional Airport when communication and radar contact were lost shortly before dawn. Officials later received reports of both a missing aircraft and a fire burning in the Capitan Mountains near Ruidoso, prompting an extensive emergency response. Authorities said the aircraft failed to arrive at its scheduled destination, leading emergency protocols to be activated. Search teams located the wreckage between approximately 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. local time in steep, rocky terrain that responders described as difficult to access. Rescue crews reportedly had to hike nearly half a mile through mountainous conditions to reach the crash site. All four occupants were killed in the crash. Officials confirmed the victims were members of the flight crew and medical personnel involved in the transport mission. As of the latest official updates, authorities had not publicly identified the victims pending notification of their families. No patients were reported to be onboard the aircraft at the time of the accident. Lincoln County Sheriff Michael Wood described the incident as “a devastating loss,” while county officials urged the public to avoid the area to allow investigators and emergency crews to continue operations safely. Lincoln County Manager Jason Burns confirmed that the crash also triggered a wildfire that rapidly spread in dry and windy conditions. Officials said the blaze expanded to between 30 and 35 acres by midday Thursday, prompting concerns about further fire growth in the heavily forested region surrounding Lincoln National Forest. Local agencies and the U.S. Forest Service continued suppression efforts throughout the day. Speaking during a news conference, Burns said, “our hearts and prayers go out to the families, loved ones, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident.” The exact cause of the crash remains unknown. Officials have not indicated any evidence of mechanical failure, weather-related causes, or pilot error at this stage of the investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched a formal investigation, with the NTSB expected to lead the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the accident. Prior to Thursday’s crash, there were 25 fatal crashes of medical planes over the past 25 years that killed nearly 70 people, according to NTSB records. According to the operator, the aircraft had been conducting a medical transportation mission when it was reported overdue after communications and radar contact were lost. Trans Aero MedEvac stated that the company has served southeastern New Mexico and west Texas since 1966 and asked the public to keep the families of the crew members and responding personnel in their thoughts and prayers.

Aircraft Crashes

Medical Transport Plane Crash In New Mexico Kills Four, Ignites Forest Fire

Aviation Today News Desk / May 15, 2026

Ruidoso, United States: A medical transport aircraft operating in New Mexico crashed in rugged mountainous terrain near Ruidoso early Thursday

Hays County, United States: A late-night aviation tragedy in Texas Hill Country has left five people dead after a twin-engine aircraft crashed near Wimberley in Hays County on April 30, 2026. According to local authorities and federal officials, the aircraft identified as a Cessna 421C went down at approximately 11:00 p.m. in a wooded area off Round Rock Road, triggering an immediate emergency response from fire and rescue crews. All five occupants onboard, including the pilot and four passengers, were pronounced dead at the scene. Flight tracking data indicates the aircraft was traveling from Amarillo to New Braunfels when it encountered trouble during the latter phase of the journey. Data shows the aircraft made a sudden sharp turn before entering a rapid descent, dropping from approximately 13,600 feet to around 7,000 feet within a short span. Radar contact was lost shortly thereafter. Officials said the aircraft impacted the ground at a high rate of speed, suggesting a catastrophic loss of control prior to the crash. Residents in the area reported hearing a loud explosion-like sound, followed by vibrations and visible flames. Several described seeing a fireball at the crash site moments after impact. Emergency crews were dispatched shortly after 11:05 p.m. and remained at the site through the night and into the following morning to manage the fire and begin recovery operations. Authorities confirmed that another aircraft had been flying along a similar route at the time of the incident. The second aircraft reportedly lost contact with the crashed plane but continued safely and landed in New Braunfels without incident. While the exact cause remains unknown, early reports indicate there may have been thunderstorm activity in the region at the time of the crash. Investigators have not confirmed whether weather played a direct role. No evidence has emerged to suggest a mid-air collision. The aircraft involved was a Cessna 421C, a pressurized, twin-engine aircraft commonly used for private and business travel. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a formal investigation. A preliminary report is expected within weeks, while the final report could take up to one to two years.

Aircraft Crashes

Five Onboard Killed After Twin-Engine Aircraft Crashes Near Wimberley In Hays County

Aviation Today News Desk / May 2, 2026

Hays County, United States: A late-night aviation tragedy in Texas Hill Country has left five people dead after a twin-engine

Ankara, Turkey: Turkey has ruled out sabotage, explosives, and any form of external attack in the crash of a Turkish Air Force C-130 military transport aircraft near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border, according to early findings released as part of the ongoing investigation. The aircraft, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, crashed on November 11, 2025, while operating a return flight from Ganja in Azerbaijan to Merzifon Air Base in Turkey. All 20 personnel on board, including crew members and military technical staff, were killed in the accident, making it one of the deadliest recent incidents involving the Turkish Air Force. Initial data from the time of the crash indicated a sudden and catastrophic in-flight breakup. The aircraft was cruising at altitude when it disappeared from radar without issuing a distress call. Tracking data showed a rapid and uncontrolled descent, with the aircraft breaking into multiple sections mid-air before crashing in Georgia’s Kakheti region near the Azerbaijan border. The wide debris field and separation of major components suggested structural failure occurred before ground impact. According to the latest findings cited by Caliber and supported by Turkish authorities, forensic examinations have found no evidence of explosives, missile strike, or any external interference. Investigators reported no traces of bomb residue, shrapnel, or chemical agents, effectively ruling out sabotage or a hostile act. Turkish officials have also dismissed circulating claims suggesting the aircraft may have been shot down, describing them as unfounded. With external causes eliminated, the investigation has now narrowed its focus to possible internal factors, including mechanical malfunction or structural failure. Preliminary assessments suggest that a critical structural component, possibly in the tail section, may have failed mid-flight, leading to the aircraft breaking apart into multiple sections. The exact sequence of events, however, remains under detailed examination. The aircraft had undergone modernization in recent years and reportedly completed maintenance checks roughly a month before the crash. Despite this, investigators are examining whether structural fatigue, system failure, or an undetected defect could have triggered the catastrophic breakup. Authorities continue to analyse data from the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, which are expected to play a key role in determining the final cause. Officials have indicated that a comprehensive final report will only be released after full technical, forensic, and operational analysis is completed. Following the accident, Turkey temporarily grounded its C-130 fleet for safety inspections and deployed a large investigation team to the crash site. Wreckage recovered from the mountainous terrain has been transported for detailed examination as part of the probe. While early findings have provided clarity by ruling out external factors, the final report is expected to establish the precise cause and sequence of failures that led to the mid-air breakup of the aircraft.

Investigation

Turkey Rules Out Sabotage Or Explosion In Deadly C-130 Crash That Killed 20

Aviation Today News Desk / April 9, 2026

Ankara, Turkey: Turkey has ruled out sabotage, explosives, and any form of external attack in the crash of a Turkish

Aircraft Crashes

Two IAF Pilots Killed After Sukhoi Su-30MKI Crashes In Assam During Training Mission

Aviation Today News Desk / March 6, 2026

Guwahati, India: An Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district after losing radar

Aircraft Crashes

Redbird Airways Air Ambulance Crashes In Jharkhand’s Chatra Forest, All 7 Onboard Killed

Aviation Today News Desk / February 24, 2026

Chatra, India: An air ambulance flying from Ranchi to Delhi crashed in the forested terrain of Simaria in Jharkhand’s Chatra

Galveston, United States: New federal investigative findings reveal critical communication misunderstandings and extremely limited visibility as major factors immediately preceding the December 22, 2025, crash of a Mexican Navy medical flight in Galveston Bay that killed six people and left two seriously injured, according to the preliminary report released by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The Beechcraft B300 aircraft, registered ANX1209 and operated by the Mexican Navy, was on a humanitarian medical mission coordinated with the Michou y Mau Foundation. The flight was transporting a severely burned pediatric patient from Mérida, Mexico, to Shriners Children’s Hospital in Galveston, Texas, when it crashed into West Bay during its approach to Scholes International Airport shortly before 3:15 p.m. local time. According to the NTSB preliminary report, Houston Approach Control cleared the flight crew for an RNAV (GPS-based) approach to Runway 14 but did not clear the aircraft to land. The flight crew’s initial readback mistakenly stated they were “cleared to land,” prompting controllers to twice clarify that the aircraft was cleared only for the approach and not for landing. Controllers then directed the crew to contact the tower. Despite repeated clarifications, the crew’s responses indicated persistent misunderstanding. During the final stages of the approach, air traffic controllers issued multiple low-altitude alerts, but received no further communication from the flight crew before radar contact was lost. The preliminary report and weather observations confirmed dense fog and severely restricted visibility during the aircraft’s final descent. Controllers advised the crew that cloud ceilings near the airport were approximately 300 feet, a condition that significantly limits visual reference and places heavy reliance on instrument procedures. Local weather data and witness accounts indicate visibility at times was as low as approximately a quarter mile with heavy sea fog common along the Texas Gulf Coast under certain conditions further complicating the approach. The aircraft impacted the waters of West Galveston Bay approximately half a mile from the shoreline. Six occupants including the pilot, co-pilot, two flight crew members and two passengers were fatally injured. Two passengers, reported to be a flight nurse and the mother of the pediatric patient, survived with serious injuries. Search and rescue operations immediately following the crash involved the U.S. Coast Guard, Texas Department of Public Safety, Galveston County Sheriff’s Office and local first responders. The wreckage was located in shallow water, facilitating recovery efforts. The NTSB’s preliminary report is part of an ongoing investigation to determine all contributing factors. These factual reports do not assign probable cause but document the circumstances surrounding the accident based on available data, including air traffic control communications and radar information. Federal investigators will continue to analyze cockpit voice recordings, flight data, maintenance records and meteorological data. A final report typically released 12–24 months after an accident will include a probable cause determination and safety recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies.

Investigation

NTSB Preliminary Report Cites Miscommunication, Low Visibility In Galveston Bay Crash

Aviation Today News Desk / February 5, 2026

Galveston, United States: New federal investigative findings reveal critical communication misunderstandings and extremely limited visibility as major factors immediately preceding

Bogota, Colombia: A scheduled domestic flight operated by state-owned airline SATENA crashed in the mountainous Norte de Santander region of northeastern Colombia on 28 January 2026, killing all 15 people on board, authorities confirmed. The twin-engine Beechcraft 1900D turboprop, registered HK-4709, was flying as SATENA Flight 8849 from Camilo Daza International Airport in Cúcuta toward Aguas Claras Airport in Ocaña when it lost radio and radar contact with air traffic control at about 11:54 a.m. local time, roughly 12 minutes into the short domestic service. Search and rescue teams later located the wreckage on a cloud-covered mountainside near Curasica in the municipality of Playa de Belén, confirming there were no survivors among the 13 passengers and two crew members. Among those killed were Diógenes Quintero Amaya, a 36-year-old member of Colombia’s House of Representatives representing the Catatumbo region, and Carlos Salcedo, a candidate in the upcoming congressional elections, according to passenger lists released by SATENA. Colombian authorities and local media also reported that members of Quintero’s team were on board. SATENA said flight crews lost contact with the aircraft shortly before its scheduled landing in Ocaña. The plane’s emergency locator transmitter did not activate, which delayed initial detection of the crash site. Once located, national authorities, including the Civil Aeronautics Authority (Aerocivil), the Colombian Aerospace Force, and military personnel, coordinated search and recovery operations in difficult terrain, hampered by dense fog and rugged mountains. No definitive cause for the crash has yet been released. Colombian aviation regulators have opened a technical investigation to determine the sequence of events leading to the accident and any contributing factors. Officials have not ruled out weather or terrain as influences, given the flight path over challenging mountainous territory near the Venezuela border. The Beechcraft 1900D involved was operated under a wet-lease arrangement by SEARCA on behalf of SATENA. The aircraft type is widely used on short regional routes for its capability to operate in and out of airports with limited infrastructure. The Cúcuta–Ocaña sector is a routine domestic service typically lasting under an hour. Radar data showed the aircraft climbed to approximately 12,900 feet before beginning its descent toward Ocaña, with its last known altitude recorded near 7,900 feet shortly before contact was lost. Colombian officials, including President Gustavo Petro, expressed condolences to the families of the victims, describing the crash as a national tragedy.

Aircraft Crashes

All 15 Aboard Die As SATENA Beechcraft 1900D Crashes In Northern Colombia

Aviation Today News Desk / January 30, 2026

Bogota, Colombia: A scheduled domestic flight operated by state-owned airline SATENA crashed in the mountainous Norte de Santander region of

Michigan, United States: Three people were killed when a small aircraft crashed in a field near Bath Township, Michigan, on Thursday evening. The incident occurred around 5 p.m. near the intersection of Clark Road and Peacock Road, roughly 15 miles northeast of Lansing. According to Bath Township Police and Clinton County emergency officials, the aircraft went down shortly after radar contact was lost. Responding units found the wreckage engulfed in flames. All three individuals on board were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims, pending family notifications. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are leading the investigation to determine the cause of the crash. A press conference scheduled for Thursday night was cancelled unexpectedly, reportedly at the direction of the FAA. “We were told by the FAA that the press briefing would not proceed at this time,” a Bath Township official told local station WILX News 10. No reason was given for the cancellation. Reports from CBS News Detroit indicate that the crash site remains under federal control while investigators examine debris patterns and flight data. Preliminary findings have not yet been released. According to trackers AirNav Radar and Flight Radar 24, the plane is believed to have been a Mexican-registered Hawker 800XP (XA-JMR), departing from Battle Creek before losing altitude and crashing. However, this detail has not been verified by U.S. authorities. Residents in the area reported hearing a loud explosion and seeing black smoke billow from the site moments after the crash. “It looked like something out of a movie, just fire and smoke,” one witness told local reporters. The FAA confirmed it is assisting with recovery operations and will issue a preliminary accident report within the coming days. The NTSB is expected to release an initial summary once investigators confirm aircraft type and flight path data.

Aircraft Crashes

Three Killed As Small Plane Crashes And Bursts Into Flames Near Bath Township

Aviation Today News Desk / October 17, 2025

Michigan, United States: Three people were killed when a small aircraft crashed in a field near Bath Township, Michigan, on

radar contact lost

Pakistan Cargo Missing Over Arabian Sea With Five Crew On Board After Technical Issue

Medical Transport Plane Crash In New Mexico Kills Four, Ignites Forest Fire

Five Onboard Killed After Twin-Engine Aircraft Crashes Near Wimberley In Hays County

Turkey Rules Out Sabotage Or Explosion In Deadly C-130 Crash That Killed 20

Two IAF Pilots Killed After Sukhoi Su-30MKI Crashes In Assam During Training Mission

Redbird Airways Air Ambulance Crashes In Jharkhand’s Chatra Forest, All 7 Onboard Killed

NTSB Preliminary Report Cites Miscommunication, Low Visibility In Galveston Bay Crash

All 15 Aboard Die As SATENA Beechcraft 1900D Crashes In Northern Colombia

Three Killed As Small Plane Crashes And Bursts Into Flames Near Bath Township

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