PIA Flight PK-586 Returns to Karachi After Hijack Threat

[Abbas Ali]

APRIL 27 - According to local news channels a PIA ATR 42-500 aircraft operating flight PK-586 from Karachi to Bahawalpur has returned to Karachi after a passenger told an air hostess that the aircraft will be hijacked.

Cabin crew informed flight's captain about this passenger's statement and captain decided to return to Karachi. The aircraft made safe landing at Karachi and there the aircraft was surrounded by Airport Security Force (ASF). The passenger has been taken into custody and ASF men are searching the aircraft and passengers' baggage.

The aircraft had departed from Karachi as flight PK-586 around 1:09PM. It returned to Karachi around 1:40PM.

The ATR was carrying 47 passengers and 4 crew members and all of them are safe.

Flights schedule on official PIA shows flight PK-586 on every Friday operated from Karachi to Islamabad via Bahawalpur & Lahore with ATR 42-500 turboprop aircraft.

According to some news channels the passenger angrily argued and misbehaved with an air hostess and then he threatened to hijack the aircraft.

The arrested passenger is now crying and saying that in anger he threatened to hijack the aircraft. Could be a mentally disturbed person.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Geo News showed PIA flight PK-586 ATR 42-500 parked on a remote location at Karachi Airport.





According to latest reports, the ATR has been cleared to depart again for Bahawalpur after undergoing search at Karachi Airport. The ATR remained parked at Karachi Airport for 45 minutes during which it was searched.

Passengers have been shifted to lounge, according to one of the news channel.

The passenger involved in this incident has been off-loaded and is being interrogated.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

According to latest reports:

* Statements of air hostess and passenger have been recorded by investigators.

* Nothing suspicious recovered from passenger who has been handed over to police for further investigation.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Dunya News video footage of the incident probably made when the ATR was cleared by security teams who searched the aircraft at a remote location at Karachi Airport. The taxiing aircraft can be seen surrounded by security vehicles and fire tenders. Most probably from here the aircraft taxied towards airport terminal where passengers were shifted to lounge before resumption of their journey.



A colleague of the detained passenger also has been taken into custody by security people for interrogation.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Passenger Threatens to Hijack PIA Flight

KARACHI, April 27, 2012: On PIA flight PK-586 operated by ATR aircraft for the sector Karachi–Bahawalpur, a passenger Javed Ansari on seat number 2A threatened the Cabin Crew that he can hijack the aircraft. The aircraft was 40 nautical miles out of Karachi and the time was 13:25 hours. PIA Spokesman said here on Friday.

The Cabin Crew according to the safety procedure immediately informed the Captain. The Captain as per international safety procedure immediately took necessary measures and safely landed the aircraft back at Jinnah International Airport Karachi without any eventuality.

Passenger Javed Ansari was offloaded and escorted by ASF. Further investigations in the matter are underway.

All passengers including Crew members and aircraft are safe. The Spokesman added.

Flight PK 586 will now depart for its destination Bahawalpur at around 3:30 PM after completing all necessary security procedures. PIA spokesman concluded.

Source: PIA Press Release (April 27, 2012)

[Abbas Ali]

It was PIA ATR 42-500 (registration AP-BHM), according to info on http://avherald.com/h?article=44ea21b5&opt=0

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Express News channel report that shows PIA ATR 42-500 (registration AP-BHM) after landing at Bahawalpur Aiport.

The passenger detained at Karachi Airport is also shown.



According to an ASF official, the detained passenger told air hostess that he can hijack the aircraft but will not do it.



The detained passenger in a joking manner told air hostess that he can hijack the aircraft, according to some news reports.

Abbas