On 2nd December, 2023, serious incident, engine fire occurred in Pakistan International (PIA), flight No. PK-743, B777-200ER aircraft, Registration No. AP-BMH, (Sector KHI – MED), at Jinnah International Airport (JIAP), Karachi. PK-743, a scheduled commercial passenger flight, departed from JIAP, Karachi, bound for Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Aziz International Airport, Madinah. During the climb phase at approximately 300 feet (ft) Above Ground Level (AGL), the right engine experienced an overheat condition, immediately followed by the activation of the fire warning system. The flight crew declared an emergency due to an in-flight fire indication and promptly initiated the fire suppression procedures. Following the apparent extinguishment of the fire, the crew returned the aircraft to JIAP, Karachi and landed safely. Detailed investigation revealed an HP duct being disconnected due to its clamp getting loose subsequently resulting in the hot air leak. The hot air leakage initiated the engine fire warning. Engine and aircraft were inspected as per aircraft publications and were later released for operations after required rectification of the observed anomaly.
