On 30 October 2023, Airblue Limited flight ABQ207, an Airbus A321-251NX aircraft, registration AP-BOD, was operating a scheduled revenue passenger flight from Islamabad International Airport (OPIS) to Karachi Jinnah International Airport (OPKC). The aircraft was carrying 240 passengers and 8 crew members (including Captain as Pilot Monitoring (PM), First Officer (FO) as Pilot Flying (PF), and an additional First Officer serving as Safety Pilot — indicating the flight was also a training sector for the FO. The aircraft departed Runway (R/W) 28L at 12:41:39 UTC. During initial climb, at approximately 8,000 feet (ft) Above Mean Sea Level (AMSL) at 12:45:28 UTC, the crew and cabin crew heard a loud bang, accompanied by abnormal vibrations throughout the aircraft. At 12:45:32 UTC, the Captain announced Engine No. 1 FAIL and assumed the role of PF, with the FO transitioning to Pilot Monitoring (PM). The crew levelled off at 8,000 ft AMSL and requested return to OPIS. A 'PAN PAN' urgency call was declared at 12:46:23 UTC. The aircraft executed an Instrument Landing System (ILS) Z Approach to R/W 28L via ISDUR and landed safely after 13:00:00 UTC. Fire vehicles followed the aircraft to stand 24. All 248 persons on board survived without injury.
