Saudi Airlines flight escapes disaster due to pilot’s error at Islamabad Airport

A major accident was averted at Islamabad International Airport when a foreign airline’s Boeing 777 narrowly escaped while landing on a closed runway, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday.

According to airport authorities, the Boeing 777 aircraft, arriving from Jeddah, mistakenly attempted to land on Runway 28 Left, which has been closed for maintenance. 

A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) had already been issued, informing all pilots that Runway 28 Left was shut while Runway 28 Right remained operational.

Despite this, the pilot aligned the aircraft for landing on the closed runway. The Air Traffic Controller (ATC), monitoring the approach on radar, immediately alerted the pilot that he was heading toward the wrong runway.

However, the Boeing 777 pilot insisted several times that he was on the correct approach, the Airport Authority spokesperson said. With only moments left before touchdown and with people and vehicles present on the closed runway, the ATC urgently instructed the captain to abort the landing and go around.

The timely intervention prevented a potential catastrophe at Islamabad Airport, as the Boeing 777 was carrying hundreds of passengers.

During the second attempt, the aircraft successfully landed on the correct Runway 28 Right.

Airport authorities stated that, had the ATC not intervened at the last moment, a serious accident could have occurred. The Pakistan Airports Authority has taken official notice of the incident, and a detailed inquiry is underway.

The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) facilitates around 400 to 450 overflights through Pakistan’s airspace every day. Overflight charges are calculated based on the aircraft’s maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), ranging between $0.44 and $1.30 per kilometer. PAA does not levy any taxes on passengers; excise duties are imposed and collected directly by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

Reporter: Tayyab Saif