*KARACHI – A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight avoided a deadlyaccident as a drone quadcopter flew close-by to the Sukkur-bound flight.*
An ATR aircraft bearing flight number PK-536 took off for Sukkur at 5:24 PMfrom Karachi, and just as it was gaining altitude, a drone approached theaircraft at the altitude of 4300 feet.
The drone was just 100 feet far from the aircraft when the pilotsuccessfully manoeuvred the aircraft away from the quadcopter.
The incident took place 4.7 nautical miles off Karachi and the flight latersafely landed in Sukkur at 6:10 PM.
A PIA spokesperson said that the pilot of the said flight will be inquiredfurther about the incident.
Meanwhile, the PIA was yet to receive an official word from the CivilAviation Authority (CAA) on the matter, said the spokesperson.