On October 17, 2001, a PIA Airbus A300B4 (AP-BCJ) operating Flight PK-231 from Islamabad to Dubai, with an intermediate stop in Peshawar, experienced a serious landing accident at Dubai International Airport. The aircraft was carrying 193 passengers and 11 crew members which remained safe in this incident.
During landing, the right main landing gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to veer off the side of the runway. It skidded across the surface and came to rest in the sand approximately 50 meters from the runway. As a result of the runway excursion, the aircraft sustained significant structural damage to its right wing. The No. 2 (right) engine was also heavily damaged and partially separated from the wing.
Given the extent of the damage and the advanced age of the aircraft, repairs were deemed economically impractical. Consequently, the Airbus A300 was declared a total loss (write-off) and withdrawn from service by PIA. In a later initiative, the aircraft was deliberately sunk off the coast of Dubai to serve as an artificial reef, contributing to marine habitat development.
(Digitally restored/enhanced images)
