Probe into deadly Pakistan plane crash points to pilot error

Investigators have zeroed in on pilot error as one of the primary reasons -- if not the only cause -- why a Pakistan International Airlines plane crashed into a Karachi neighborhood last month, killing all but two of the 99 people on board, people with knowledge of the matter said. It appears the landing gear wasn’t deployed when the Airbus A320 jet touched the runway in its first approach, and there was no communication from the cockpit on whether the aircraft was trying to land on its belly, the people said, asking not to be identified because details of the probe are confidential. Both the airline, known as PIA, and the planemaker are pushing for an initial report to be made public as soon as possible, so that mechanical failure can be ruled out, they said. Such an outcome would largely clear Airbus and engine maker CFM of any significant contribution to the tragedy. While finding pilot error would absolve PIA of maintenance or mechanical mistakes, it would also shove pilot training and procedures into the spotlight as the airline takes to the skies after a two-month lockdown.<br/>