Incident Overview
An Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX, carrying 138 people, made a hard landing at Phuket International Airport on March 11, 2026. The flight, IX 938, had departed from Hyderabad at 6:23 am and landed at 11:25 am local time.
Details of the Incident
Upon landing, the aircraft bounced once, resulting in the detachment of both nose wheels. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the six crew members and 132 passengers on board.
Following the incident, Phuket International Airport closed its runway for nearly seven hours, leading to the diversion of 20 flights to other airports. The closure was necessary to conduct safety checks and manage the situation effectively.
Response and Recovery
The aircraft was towed to the bay after passengers were safely deplaned on the runway. The nose wheels had been replaced just three days prior, on March 8, 2026, as part of routine maintenance.
Phuket International Airport issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to inform about the temporary runway closure. The runway was expected to reopen by 6 pm local time after thorough safety assessments.
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 noted, “The nose wheels have been installed on the aircraft involved in the incident at Phuket Airport, allowing normal airport operations to resume.”
Expert Insights
According to a senior B737 captain, “It’s a clear case of a hard landing, with nose wheel damage on the second touchdown.” An experienced pilot added that “Phuket is a tricky place to land if the winds are strong and thermals during hot afternoon time which is usually the case there.”
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further investigations or measures that may be taken following this incident.
