A Boeing 737 plane with five crew members has vanished after reporting a navigational system problem and losing contact with air traffic control on a flight to Pakistan. Early data indicated the 27-year-old converted freighter operated by K2 Airways had possibly crashed into the sea south-west of Karachi after a series of sharp altitude changes before a steep final descent. 

 

The cargo flight was on its way to Karachi from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan Airports Authority said a coordinated search and rescue operation had been launched at sea through various agencies to find the missing plane. Pakistan’s Rescue Coordination Centre is leading the search at sea. The Pakistan Navy has deployed a frigate toward the plane’s last known area, while Pakistan Air Force assets and a  National Shipping Corporation vessel have also joined the search.

 

No wreckage or survivors have yet been found.