Boeing 737 cargo plane disappears off Pakistan coast after navigation failure; search underway
A K2 Airways Boeing 737 freighter lost radar contact on 7 July 2026 while approaching Karachi from Sharjah. The crew had reported a navigation system failure moments earlier.
The disappearance
On Tuesday evening, 7 July 2026, a Boeing 737 cargo plane operated by Pakistani carrier K2 Airways lost contact with air traffic control while approaching Karachi. The aircraft was en route from Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. At approximately 21:18 local time (16:18 UTC), the crew reported a failure of the navigation system. Controllers attempted to guide the plane, but three minutes later radar data indicated a rapid loss of altitude and the signal was lost roughly 250 kilometers west of Karachi, near Ormara in Balochistan province. Five crew members were on board.
- Crew reports navigation system failure
- Radar shows rapid altitude loss and contact is lost
Search operation
Pakistan’s navy and air force, assisted by commercial ships and military aircraft, launched a search and rescue mission off the coast of Karachi. The operation is focused on the Arabian Sea near the last known position. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the incident and offered support to the families. Authorities are racing against time as hopes fade, though the airline has said it still holds out hope the crew could be alive.
We are fully cooperating with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and other government agencies. We are praying fervently for the safety of our colleagues.
Aircraft details
The 27-year-old Boeing 737 (built in 1999) previously served as a passenger jet for Aeroflot and Garuda Indonesia before being converted into a freighter in 2012. It joined K2 Airways, a private cargo airline established in 2018. The plane’s registration was not disclosed in the available reports.
Pakistan’s aviation safety record
The incident has revived memories of Pakistan’s last major air disaster. On 22 May 2020, a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) passenger plane crashed on approach to Karachi airport, killing 97 of the 99 people on board. That tragedy, caused by pilot error and procedural lapses, led to a four-year European Union ban on PIA, which was only lifted in 2024. The current disappearance, though involving a cargo carrier, underscores ongoing concerns about aviation oversight in the region.
