A three-member team of Fokker Friendship Aircraft Company, headed by safety investigator Mike L Webber, with Germany's aircraft accident investigator Holger Lizenper and Airworthiness Fokker expert Arthur Reekers returned to Karachi after completing their investigation at the accident site here on Monday.
They inspected the site and made a number of sketches. Shahnawaz Dara, who was assisting the team, told this correspondent: "Investigators are confident that it was a case of crash landing and an accident. It ruled out the possibility of any sabotage or terrorist activity."
He said that team was focusing on this point that if the right side engine of aircraft had ceased functioning and the aircraft was inclining on right side then the pilot could balance and control it with the help of left side engine, and the mishap could be averted.
Dara said that investigators could not determine the reason and circumstances under which this technique was not utilised. The team, according to Dara, said that the engines of Fokker PK-688 were reliable, and belonged to DAT-528-7 R series. Shahnawaz has also served on this plane for six years, from 1971 to 1977.
The team did not put the responsibility of the mishap on ATC staff. Airport Manager Amer Mehboob said that there was no truth in the rumours that oil was leaking, or its propellers fell on the runway.
He said that the wreckage of the aircraft and the black box were dispatched to Karachi for investigation. He said that sample of the fuel taken from PSO depot Multan was also sent to Karachi.