KARACHI – A landing gear wheel that detached from a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Airbus A320 during takeoff from Jinnah International Airport has been located in a remote corner of the facility, the Pakistan Aviation Authority (PAA) confirmed on Friday, March 14, 2025. Today Pakistan News reports on this alarming incident, raising fresh concerns over aviation safety.
The wheel, missing since the Lahore-bound flight’s departure, was found near a remote parking bay close to the II Chundrigar Hangar, spotted by wheel shop technicians beside a grounded Boeing 777. The PAA stated no casualties or financial losses occurred, but the wheel’s detachment went unnoticed until the plane landed in Lahore, sparking an urgent investigation.
PIA’s engineering team, alongside aviation authorities, is probing the incident, with early findings pointing to potential maintenance lapses, manufacturing flaws, or material fatigue as causes. “This shouldn’t have gone undetected,” says Karachi-based aviation expert Ali Raza. “It exposes gaps in safety protocols.” The Airbus A320’s wheel loss during takeoff—a critical phase—underscores the need for rigorous checks, especially given strict storage standards for aircraft parts, where temperature and integrity are paramount.
Airbus, the aircraft’s manufacturer, has launched a technical inquiry, requesting three months of flight data, maintenance logs, checklists, and a full assessment of the landing gear and critical systems from PIA. “We’re committed to understanding this failure,” an Airbus spokesperson said, signaling a thorough review to prevent recurrence.
