Quick Thinking Pilot Saves 344 Lives as PIA Flight PK-859 Makes Emergency Landing in Karachi

A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Lahore to Jeddah was forced to make an emergency landing at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport after a bird struck the aircraft midair.

According to aviation sources, flight PK-859 was carrying 344 passengers, including a large number of Umrah pilgrims, when the incident occurred. The bird hit the cockpit windscreen, causing significant damage.

The pilot immediately assessed the situation and decided to divert the plane to Karachi for safety reasons. Thanks to his quick decision-making, the aircraft landed safely without any injuries.

All passengers were safely evacuated and shifted to nearby hotels as a precaution. Maintenance teams have begun repair work on the aircraft, which is expected to take around 12 hours.

The flight is scheduled to depart later tonight once technical clearance is granted. Aviation authorities have praised the pilot and crew for handling the situation with professionalism and calmness.