Pakistani officials on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of a terror attack in an airliner crash that killed 45 people, as they sent the plane’s ”black box” for analysis.
The ageing Pakistani International Airlines (PIA) Fokker F27 plummeted to the ground and burst into flames shortly after take-off from the central city of Multan on Monday.
”Investigations have started and there is no sign of anything other than an accident,” Interior Ministry secretary Syed Kamal Shah said when asked if terrorism was involved.
Several witnesses said the plane swerved in the air just before it hit the ground, while police quoted others as saying it was already on fire before it crashed.
Shah said there was likely a mechanical failure.
”There will be a technical examination of witness statements, including those from the public who saw the plane catch fire minutes after take-off,” Shah said.
An investigation team has also been examining the wreckage of the 38-year-old Dutch-built turboprop, which was carrying 41 passengers and four crew to the eastern city of Lahore.
The plane’s ”black box” data recorder was recovered from the burnt-out wreckage of the aircraft and has been sent to experts in Karachi for analysis, Multan airport manager Ahsan Mehboob said.
Representatives from the Fokker company are also expected in Multan in a couple of days to join the probe, he added.
PIA’s eight Fokker aircraft came under scrutiny by legislators last year over claims that they had flown too many hours. They are due to be replaced by new ATR 42 aircraft.
The airline has said the plane that crashed was within its permitted lifespan.
The victims of Monday’s accident included two high court judges, a university vice-chancellor and two military brigadiers.
Courts were closed on Tuesday to pay homage to the killed judges, while the Multan Bar Association announced a three-day mourning period.
Traders in Multan shut down as a mark of respect on Tuesday, while collective prayers for the crash victims were scheduled at a public park late in the evening. — Sapa-AFP