Air Blue flight ABQ202 , operated with an Airbus A321 (AP-BJP) on 28 July 2010, was a scheduled domestic flight sector Karachi – Islamabad.

The aircraft had 152 persons on board, including six crew members.

Air Blue flight ABQ202 took-off from Karachi at 0241 UTC (0741 PST) for Islamabad.  At time 0441:08, while executing a circling approach for RWY12 at Islamabad, Air Blue flight ABQ202 flew into Margalla Hills, and crashed at a distance of 9.6 NM, on a radial 334 from Islamabad VOR.

The aircraft was completely destroyed and all souls on board the aircraft, sustained fatal injuries.

AIR BLUE flight ABQ202

• The aircraft was airworthy to undertake the flight on 28 July 2010.
• Both the aircrew had valid medical and aircrew rating for the type of aircraft.
• Air Navigation and Aerodrome facilities were serviceable and as per AIP.
• Weather conditions indicated rain, poor visibility and low clouds in and around the airport.
• The information regarding prevalent weather and the required type of approach on arrival was in the knowledge of aircrew.
• Though aircrew Captain was fit to undertake the flight on the mishap day, yet his portrayed behavior and efficiency was observed to have deteriorated with the inclement weather at BBIAP Islamabad.
• The chain of events leading to the Air Blue flight ABQ202 accident in fact started with the commencement of flight, where Captain was heard to be confusing BBIAP Islamabad with JIAP Karachi while planning FMS, and Khanpur Lake (Wah) with Kahuta area during holding pattern.

Captain of Air Blue flight ABQ202 violated the prescribed Circling Approach procedure for RWY12 by descending below MDA (i.e 2,300 ft instead of maintaining 2,510 ft), loosing visual contact with the airfield and instead resorting to fly the non-standard self created PBD based approach, thus transgressing out of protected airspace of maximum of 4.3 NM into Margallas and finally collided with the hills.

• Aircrew Captain not only clearly violated the prescribed procedures for circling approach but also did not at all adhere to FCOM procedures of displaying reaction / response to timely and continuous terrain and pull up warnings (21 times in 70 seconds) – despite these very loud, continuous and executive commands, the Captain failed to register the urgency of the situation and did not respond in kind (break off / pull off).
• First Officer of Air Blue flight ABQ202 simply remained a passive bystander in the cockpit and did not participate as an effective team member failing to supplement / compliment or to correct the errors of his captain assertively in line with the teachings of CRM due to Captain’s behavior in the flight.
• At the crucial juncture both the ATC and the Radar controllers were preoccupied with bad weather and the traffic; the air traffic controller having lost visual contact with Air Blue flight ABQ202 got worried and sought Radar help on the land line (the ATC does not have a Radar scope); the radar controller having cleared aircraft to change frequency to ATC, got busy with the following traffic. Having been alerted by the ATC, the Radar controller shifted focus to the mishap aircraft – seeing the aircraft very close to NFZ he asked the ATCO (on land line) to ask the aircraft to immediately turn left, which was transmitted.
• Sensing the gravity of the situation and on seeing the aircraft still heading towards the hills, the Radar controller asked the ATCO on land line “Confirm he has visual contact with the ground. If not, then ask him to immediately climb, and make him execute missed approach”.
• The ATCO in quick succession asked the Captain if he had contact with the airfield – on receiving no reply from aircrew the ATCO on Radars prompting asked if he had contact with the ground. Aircrew announced visual contact with the ground which put ATS at ease.
• Ensuing discussion and mutual situational update (on land line) continued and, in fact, the ATC call “message from Radar immediately turn left” was though transmitted, but by the time the call got transmitted, the aircraft had crashed at the same time.

The accident was primarily caused by the aircrew who violated all established procedures for a visual approach for RWY12 and ignored several calls by ATS Controllers and EGPWS system warnings (21) related to approaching rising terrain and PULL UP.

Air blue crash has been finalized as a case of Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT), in which aircrew failed to display superior judgment and professional skills in a self created unsafe environment.

In their pursuit to land in inclement weather, they committed serious violations of procedures and breaches of flying discipline, which put the aircraft in an unsafe condition over dangerous terrain at low altitude.