A cargo Boeing 737 operated by K2 Airways disappeared from radar on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, while flying from Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, to Karachi, Pakistan. According to the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control at approximately 9:21 p.m. local time after the crew reported technical issues, including navigation system problems. Search operations involving the Pakistani Navy and Air Force are currently underway in the Arabian Sea, where the flight is believed to have crashed.
What happened to the K2 Airways cargo flight?
The flight experienced a series of erratic altitude changes before vanishing from radar. Data from Flightradar24 shows the Boeing 737—a 27-year-old aircraft converted from a passenger jet to a cargo carrier in 2012—suffered a rapid descent of several thousand feet in under one minute. It briefly climbed back to a higher altitude before entering a final, steep dive.
At the time of the final transmission, the aircraft was approximately 287 kilometers west of Karachi. Flightradar24 recorded a final vertical descent rate that was extremely steep, or roughly 400 kilometers per hour. While the exact cause remains under investigation, the tracking service noted that the aircraft experienced Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference shortly after departing Sharjah, which impacted tracking accuracy.
The aircraft involved was originally manufactured in 1999 as a passenger plane. It underwent a structural conversion in 2012 to serve as a freighter, a common practice for aging Boeing 737 airframes to extend their commercial utility.
How are authorities responding to the disappearance?
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority is coordinating a multi-agency search and rescue mission. According to reports from the BBC and Gulf News, the Pakistan Navy and Air Force have been deployed to the Arabian Sea to locate the wreckage. K2 Airways, a private carrier established in 2018, confirmed that five crew members were on board. In a formal statement released Wednesday, July 8, the airline stated it is cooperating fully with government authorities and expressed concern for the safety of the crew.
What are the risks of GNSS interference in aviation?
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many people were on board the K2 Airways flight?
There were five crew members on board the Boeing 737. - Where did the plane lose contact?
The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control over the Arabian Sea, approximately 287 kilometers west of Karachi, Pakistan. - What was the age of the aircraft?
The Boeing 737 was 27 years old, having been manufactured in 1999 and converted to a freighter in 2012. - Has the wreckage been found?
As of July 8, 2026, search operations by the Pakistani military are ongoing, and the cause of the incident remains under investigation.
For the latest updates on this developing situation, sign up for our aviation safety newsletter or check back for live reporting as search teams provide new information.
