Cockpit voice recorder found, Airbus team continues probe

The investigators managed to find the missing cockpit voice recorder, as the PIA spokesperson said it would greatly help in the investigation process, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Thursday.

The instrument, found beneath the debris, has been handed over to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board, the spokesperson said.

PK 8303 AP BLD Cockpit Voice Recorder has been found from the debris and handed over to AAIB team. This will be a key component in the Air Crash Investigation. PIA Teams were searching extensively for CVR aided by Airbus Team. pic.twitter.com/fIxdz4QM8u

— PIA (@Official_PIA) May 28, 2020

Earlier, the scope of the investigation into the Karachi plane crash was expanded as 11-member French team reached the site again on Thursday morning in search of the missing cockpit voice recorder.

The Airbus team used modern equipment to collect forensic evidence with the nearby buildings being searched by the voice recorder.  The PIA’s engineering and technical ground support teams as well as the vigilance team of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) were also present at the scene.

According to sources, the Airbus team is investigating the matter right from the plane crash site to the airport runway.

Meanwhile, more evidence would be collected from the wreckage earlier shifted to the airport while heavy machinery is being used to remove the debris from the crash site. 

There is a possibility that the foreign experts would receive a special briefing at the CAA and PIA head offices.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Airbus team extended their stay in Pakistan for another five days as they continued searching for cockpit voice recorder.

The French experts along with the PIA probe team searched the site for the missing item but couldn’t succeed as wreckage was removed from the area six days after the plane crash.

They also used drones during the process and it is expected the special expert team will also transport the parts of plane wreckage and samples of instruments to France for investigation.

One part of the black box – digital satellite recorder – was found soon after the crash but the cockpit voice recorder is still missing.

Sources say an attempt was made to decode the digital satellite recorder in Pakistan but the French experts expressed their reservations over the move and sent the instrument to France in a special flight.

The investigators inspected the engine, landing gear and wings again. They also tried to determine from which direction the plane came and with which building it hit first.

Meanwhile, the plane parts were shifted to the airport by removing unnecessary wreckage from the destroyed passenger aircraft after the probe team allowed to do so.

The Airbus team decided to stay in Pakistan for five more days as civil society too came into action over the tragic plane crash in Karachi, as an application was filed with the Model Colony Police Station, declaring PIA CEO Arshad Malik and others responsible for the death of 97 people.

The application filed by Rizwan Khanzada sought filing of a case against Malik, Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan, PIA chief engineer and the relevant team.

On Tuesday, Sindh Minister Saeed Ghani told a press conference in Karachi that the PIA and Civil Aviation Authority heads should be removed immediately.

Describing the committee formed to probe the PIA plane crash just a drama, he also called for formation of an impartial inquiry commission.

Malik is responsible for the crash, he said, adding that the probe could not be impartial as the CEO had already shared the details of investigation.

Ghani accused Malik of terrifying the people so that no one could not speak up. The responsibility is being shifted to those who are now not in this world, said the PPP leader.

The Pakistan Airline Pilots Association (PALPA) members should be made part of the inquiry team, he stressed.

Similar views about the committee were previously expressed by PPP leader Nafisa Shah as the PALPA has already questioned the composition, expressing their doubts over the possible outcome.