Airbus contacts PIA over aircraft’s missing wheel incident

Aircraft manufacturer Airbus has contacted Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) regarding the emergency landing of a flight at Lahore Airport without one of its rear wheels. 

According to sources, the aircraft manufacturer has initiated a technical investigation into the incident. Airbus has formally requested a complete report from PIA regarding the Airbus A320 aircraft (registration AP-BLS) that operated Flight PK-306.

Additionally, Airbus has asked for the aircraft's full three-month flight data record and checklist, as well as detailed reports on the landing gear system and other technical aspects. Flight PK-306 landed at Lahore Airport on Wednesday night, where it was discovered that one of its rear wheels was missing.

Despite three days passing, the missing wheel has not yet been located around Karachi Airport, where it is suspected to have detached. PIA’s management has failed to trace the lost component. Meanwhile, the Board of Safety Investigation is already conducting a separate probe into the incident. 

Earlier, the missing wheel of PIA Flight 306 has been recovered near Jinnah International Airport’s remote parking bay, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) confirmed. According to PCAA, wheel shop technicians discovered the detached wheel near the landing gear of a grounded Boeing 777 aircraft. 

Authorities stated that no evidence of casualties or property damage was found due to the wheel’s separation from the aircraft.