Published in Dawn on October 2, 2000
I'm not sure whether there's something in our Constitution that guarantees that PIA personnel cannot be held accountable for negligence, but after what happened on the night between September 20 and 21, a detailed study of the Constitution is required to find out if this is is so.
Flight No PK-307 took off almost on time (at 2215 hrs), but after about 20 minutes, the pilot noticed that either there was something wrong with the gauge indicating oil pressure in the hydraulic system of the landing gear or that it had practically no oil in it. Since I was seated in the first row (only a few feet from the cockpit and the crew), I knew what actually happened. It seems that the flight engineer (or whoever it is whose job it is to check whether the aircraft should be allowed to fly) didn't do what he was paid to do.
It was sheer luck that the pilot happened to notice the lack of oil pressure and decided to turn back to Lahore. When the plane landed, there were fire engines and ambulances on the ready, and the passengers smelt burning rubber. As soon as the Airbus stopped, the first thing the crew did was to find out if the tires were still intact. Fortunately, the brakes and the landing gear were not damaged, and a crash landing was not necessary.
I know that only a remarkably stupid person would suggest that an inquiry should be held to determine what really happened. In fact, the entire staff at the Lahore Airport during the next four hours actively collude with the PIA crew in pretending that what had happened was perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. At first, they announced that the plane would leave within an h our (at 2359 to be exact).When the new day began, they said it would be ready by 1 am. Finally, we were able to depart at 0315 am.
The authorities should check if these facts have been recorded, or whether some fudging has taken place to protect those responsible for the near-disaster. I hope someone who cares for Pakistan is reading this and will take whatever action is necessary. Perhaps if those found negligent are punished PIA staff will be more careful in future. The two foreign engineers who were with me on what nearly became an ill-fated flight swore never to travel by PIA again.
Shakir Lakhani
Karachi
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