An Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX made a hard landing at Phuket International Airport, leading to significant disruptions but no injuries reported.
Incident Overview
On March 11, 2026, an Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX, operating flight IX 938 from Hyderabad, made a hard landing at Phuket International Airport, Thailand. The aircraft, carrying 138 people, bounced once upon touchdown, resulting in the detachment of both nose wheels.
The incident caused the runway at Phuket International Airport to be closed for nearly seven hours, leading to the diversion of 20 flights to other airports. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the passengers and crew, which included six crew members and 132 passengers.
The flight departed from Hyderabad at 6:23 AM and was scheduled to arrive in Phuket at 11:25 AM local time. Following the hard landing, passengers were safely deplaned on the runway, and the aircraft was subsequently towed to the bay.
Runway Reopening
Phuket International Airport issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to announce the temporary closure of the runway. 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.” Additionally, 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
Experts weighed in on the incident, with a senior B737 captain describing it as a clear case of a hard landing, citing damage to the nose wheel 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 faced by pilots landing at Phuket, 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.
While the incident caused significant disruptions at Phuket International Airport, the swift response from the crew and airport authorities ensured the safety of all on board. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further investigations into the cause of the hard landing.
