Incident Overview
On March 11, 2026, an Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX, carrying 138 people, made a hard landing at Phuket International Airport in Thailand. The flight, IX 938, had departed from Hyderabad at 6:23 am and was scheduled to arrive at 11:25 am local time.
Details of the Landing
Upon landing, the aircraft bounced once, resulting in both nose wheels detaching. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among the 132 passengers and 6 crew members on board. The aircraft was subsequently towed to the bay after passengers were safely deplaned on the runway.
Runway Closure and Diversions
The incident led to the closure of the runway at Phuket International Airport for nearly seven hours, during which 20 flights were diverted to other airports. Phuket International Airport issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to inform about the temporary closure.
Safety Checks and Reopening
Safety checks were conducted, and the runway was expected to reopen by 6 pm local time. The nose wheels had been replaced on March 8, 2026, as part of routine maintenance, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the hard landing.
Official Statements
An Air India Express spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating, “We confirm that our Hyderabad-Phuket flight on March 11 experienced an issue with the nose wheel at Phuket Airport.” An official statement from AI Express indicated that the nose wheels were reinstalled, allowing normal airport operations to resume.
Expert Insights
Experts weighed in on the incident, with a senior B737 captain describing it as a clear case of a hard landing with nose wheel damage on the second touchdown. An experienced pilot noted that Phuket can be a challenging location to land, particularly when strong winds and thermals are present during the hot afternoon hours.
While the immediate situation has been addressed, details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific causes of the hard landing. The incident highlights the complexities of aviation safety and the importance of thorough maintenance and operational protocols.
