A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft and a Pakistan International Airlines aircraft narrowly averted collision thanks to swift action from the passenger jet pilot who "put the throttles to full power, stopped descend and ascended to a safe height". The mid-air collision was averted last week with the two aircraft coming within 500 feet of each other.
PIA flight PK-370 took off from Karachi for Islamabad April 14. At about 8.15 p.m., a PAF aircraft was cruising at 26,000 feet above sea level, a height which was soon to be attained by the passenger aircraft while descending towards Islamabad. Sources said the ATC personnel gave the order to descend to the PIA flight and asked it to change frequency and get connected to Islamabad airfield controller. While changing frequency, the PIA flight that had begun to descend came right at the height at which the PAF aircraft was cruising.
"The pilot in command, getting help from the cockpit, put the throttles to full power, stopped descend and ascended to a safe height avoiding a mid-air collision," a source was quoted as saying. Well done to them and the aircraft.