Lecture Notes: Pakistan Airlines 8303 Incident

Introduction

• Flight 8303 Overview: A second landing attempt at Jinnah International Airport.
  • Severely damaged with both engines lost.
  • Oil spilling; low oil pressure warnings.
  • Landing gear not deployed; altitude dropping.
  • Critical situation as runway approaches.

Context and Background

• Timeframe: May 2020, during COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns.
• Flight Details:
  • Daily service between Lahore and Karachi.
  • Aircraft: Airbus A320, 16 years old, recently grounded due to pandemic, equipped with new engines.
  • Crew: Captain Sajjad Gul and First Officer Usman Azzam.
  • Passengers: 89, with 6 cabin crew.

Crew Details and Issues

• Captain Sajjad Gul:
  • History of controversial career and poor stress tolerance.
  • Known for ignoring standard procedures.
• First Officer Usman Azzam:
  • Less experienced, with a delayed promotion history due to deficiencies.
• Fasting: Both pilots were fasting for Ramadan, potentially affecting decision-making.

Flight Path and Errors

• Route Details:
  • Cleared for NAWABSHAH 2A, changed to direct MAKLI by ATC.
  • Mandatory briefing and cross-checks skipped.
  • Mismanagement of autopilot descent path, leading to altitude issues.
• Communication Issues:
  • Incorrect radio frequencies; lost contact with ATC.
  • Ignoring ATC's warnings about being too high.

Descent and Approach

• Incorrect Procedures:
  • Failure to descend properly; high speed and altitude near runway.
  • Ignoring glide slope and ATC instructions.
• Dangerous Maneuvers:
  • Attempted to land with high angle of descent.
  • Multiple warnings ignored; failure to stabilize approach.

Attempted Landing

• Landing Gear Issues:
  • Gear not deployed; engine nacelles scraped runway.
  • Engines and electrical systems severely damaged.
• Go-Around Attempt:
  • Took off again with engine damage; emergency declared.

Crash Details

• Final Moments:
  • Loss of power; descent into residential area.
  • STALL warnings; crash 1300 meters short of runway.
• Casualties:
  • 97 fatalities; 2 survivors; ground casualties.

Investigation and Consequences

• Investigation Findings:
  • Crew's non-adherence to procedures; fasting as a contributing factor.
  • Revelation of 40% pilots with fake licenses in Pakistan.
• Impact:
  • PIA blacklisted by EU and USA.
  • Changes to rules regarding fasting while flying.