A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Airbus A320-200 landed safely in Lahore on March 12 despite missing one of its main wheels. The missing wheel was later found at the aircraft’s departure point in Karachi.
The aircraft, operating a domestic flight from Jinnah International Airport in Karachi to Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, completed its journey without incident. Upon landing, ground crews discovered that one of the main landing gear wheels was missing. Investigations revealed that the wheel had detached during takeoff and was located on the runway in Karachi.
PIA confirmed the incident and stated that the aircraft landed safely due to the expertise of the flight crew. No passengers or crew members were injured. The airline has launched a technical investigation to determine the cause of the wheel’s detachment.
Aviation authorities are also conducting a thorough examination to ensure compliance with maintenance protocols. PIA reassured passengers that safety remains a top priority and that appropriate measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Airbus A320-200 is a widely used narrow-body aircraft known for its reliability. However, incidents involving landing gear are rare and typically prompt immediate safety reviews and maintenance checks.
