Phuket: Air India Express Flight Incident at International Airport

Incident Overview

On March 11, 2026, an Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX, operating flight IX 938, made a hard landing at Phuket International Airport, Thailand, with 138 people on board. The aircraft, which had departed from Hyderabad at 6:23 AM, landed in Phuket at 11:25 AM local time.

Details of the Landing

Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced once, resulting in the detachment of both nose wheels. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among the 132 passengers and 6 crew members. Following the incident, the aircraft was towed to the bay after passengers were safely deplaned on the runway.

Runway Closure and Diversions

The runway at Phuket International Airport was closed for nearly seven hours due to the incident, leading to the diversion of 20 flights to other airports. Phuket International Airport issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to inform about the temporary closure.

Maintenance and Safety Checks

Prior to the incident, the nose wheels of the aircraft, registered as VT-BWQ, had been replaced on March 8, 2026, as part of routine maintenance. The runway was expected to reopen by 6 PM local time after necessary safety checks were completed.

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.” Additionally, an AI Express statement 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

Senior aviation experts commented on the situation, with one senior B737 captain stating, “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.”