MUSCAT - A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) passenger plane with about 107 people on board crash-landed on the runway of Oman’s main airport in Muscat on Monday, forcing the cancellation of all flights from the facility for a few hours.“A PIA aircraft crashed on the runway after its landing gear collapsed,” Ali Al Zuwaidi, flight safety director at Muscat International Airport, told Khaleej Times.
“The pilot had reported no injuries among the passengers or crew,” Zuwaidi added.
The scheduled Sialkot-Muscat flight by the Boeing 737 aircraft crash landed tilting on the left and the landing gear (rear tyre) on the left of aircraft appears to have broken.
The crash happened at around 2pm. “All the passengers and crew are safe. I have met them personally. All have cleared the customs procedures and have left the airport,” Bashiruddin Khan, PIA Country Manager in Muscat, told Khaleej Times.
The PIA has made alternate arrangements for the passengers who were supposed to fly to Pakistan on the same aircraft. “We are working on a solution. We will make alternate arrangements. Those who have come to the airport from far off places in Oman will be provided accommodation,” Khan added.
The airport runway remained closed from 1.32pm (Muscat time) till 5pm due to the accident. There were no takeoffs or landings during the time.
A message uploaded by the Oman Air on its websites at around 5pm said: “The Muscat International Airport runway having now cleared, Oman Air announces the resumption of its flights in and out of Muscat. Please keep checking the website for updates.”
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