Incident Overview
On March 11, 2026, an Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX, operating flight IX 938 from Hyderabad, experienced a hard landing at Phuket International Airport, Thailand. The aircraft, carrying 138 people, made its approach and bounced once upon touchdown, resulting in the detachment of both nose wheels.
The incident led to the temporary closure of the runway for nearly seven hours, during which 20 flights were diverted to other airports. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among the passengers and crew, which included six crew members and 132 passengers.
Details of the Flight
Flight IX 938 departed from Hyderabad at 6:23 AM and was scheduled to arrive in Phuket at 11:25 AM local time. The aircraft involved, registered as VT-BWQ, was towed to the bay after passengers were safely deplaned on the runway.
Runway Reopening
The runway at Phuket International Airport was expected to reopen by 6 PM local time after necessary safety checks were completed. A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued to inform about the temporary closure of the runway.
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, the airline 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, highlighting the 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 follows a history of challenges faced by pilots landing at Phuket, particularly under adverse weather conditions. The aircraft was involved in a suspected hard landing with a bounce while landing on runway 09.
Looking Ahead
As investigations continue, details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific causes of the hard landing. Authorities are expected to release further information as they assess the situation.
