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.”

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A thick layer of dense fog descended over Meerut and Ghaziabad on March 10, 2026, leading to significant disruptions in morning travel. Visibility in some areas of Meerut dropped to near-zero levels, prompting concerns among commuters.

Immediate Circumstances

The India Meteorological Department reported that the fog was a result of lingering effects from prolonged cold waves, high humidity, and atmospheric inversions. This weather phenomenon has been affecting the region, with ongoing dense fog episodes noted across northern India.

While the fog has caused immediate travel issues, temperatures across northern India have surged, indicating a shift towards premature summer conditions. The maximum temperature recorded at Safdarjung in Delhi reached 35.3°C, which is 6.9°C above normal. In Uttar Pradesh, Agra recorded the highest maximum temperature at 37.6°C.

No rainfall was reported across Delhi-NCR in the previous 24 hours, and dry weather is expected to persist in Uttar Pradesh until mid-March. This unusual weather pattern highlights the ongoing changes in weather systems, which have been disrupted due to climate change.

Pollution and Fog Formation

Experts note that pollution particles contribute to the formation and persistence of fog, exacerbating visibility issues. Flash fog, a short-lived but intense type of fog, has also been observed in the region.

Future Weather Outlook

Looking ahead, heat-wave conditions are anticipated in parts of the Konkan region, including Mumbai, while northern India continues to grapple with the effects of high temperatures and fog. The situation remains dynamic, and further updates from the India Meteorological Department are expected.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the long-term effects of these weather patterns on travel and daily life in Meerut and surrounding areas.

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