On March 11, 2026, an Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX, operating flight IX 938 from Hyderabad, encountered a hard landing at Phuket International Airport, Thailand. The aircraft, carrying 138 individuals, made a hard landing that resulted in both nose wheels detaching after bouncing once on touchdown.

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. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the passengers and crew, which included six crew members and 132 passengers.

The flight took off from Hyderabad at 6:23 am and was scheduled to arrive in Phuket at 11:25 am local time. Following the incident, the aircraft was towed to the bay after passengers were safely deplaned on the runway.

Runway Reopening

Phuket International Airport issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to inform about the temporary runway closure. Safety checks were conducted, and the runway was expected to reopen by 6 pm local time.

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.” In a subsequent statement, 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, “Phuket is a tricky place to land if the winds are strong and thermals during hot afternoon time which is usually the case there.”

This incident highlights the challenges of landing at Phuket International Airport, particularly under adverse weather conditions. The aircraft involved was registered as VT-BWQ and had undergone routine maintenance, including the replacement of the nose wheels on March 8, 2026.

Looking Ahead

As operations resume, the aviation community will be monitoring the situation closely to ensure safety protocols are upheld. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further investigations into the incident.

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