Air India Express Plane Suffers Nose-Wheel Damage at Phuket Landing

An Air India Express flight, IX 938, operating from Hyderabad, India, to Phuket, Thailand, encountered a significant incident on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, when it made a hard landing at Phuket International Airport, resulting in substantial damage to its nose-wheel. The incident, which occurred around 11:24 AM to 12:08 PM local time, involved a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, registered as VT-BWQ. Upon touchdown at Phuket, the aircraft experienced an issue with its nose landing gear, with some reports indicating a collapse of the nose landing gear or a detached wheel. Despite the severity of the landing, all 131 passengers, including two infants, and 7 crew members on board were safely evacuated from the aircraft. Air India Express confirmed that all standard protocols were followed by the crew during the evacuation, and critically, no injuries were reported among any of the occupants. The immediate aftermath of the incident led to significant disruption at Phuket International Airport, one of Thailand's busiest travel hubs. The airport's sole operational runway was temporarily closed to facilitate the removal of the disabled aircraft and to conduct necessary safety inspections of the runway surface. This closure was initially estimated to last for approximately six hours, with authorities expecting the runway to reopen by 6:00 PM local time (11:00 UTC). As a direct consequence of the runway shutdown, flight operations at Phuket were severely affected, leading to the disruption of over 120 flights. Numerous incoming flights were compelled to hold in nearby airspace or were diverted to alternative airports, such as Krabi International Airport, causing considerable delays and inconvenience for travelers. Air India Express issued a statement acknowledging the incident and expressing gratitude to its guests, the Phuket airport authorities, and all other stakeholders for their cooperation during the challenging situation. Preliminary checks indicated that the hard landing was the cause of the damage to the nose landing gear, rendering the aircraft immobile on the runway. The flight, IX 938, had departed from Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport around 6:23 AM to 6:42 AM on the same day. The incident underscores the critical importance of aviation safety protocols and the swift response of airport emergency services in mitigating potential dangers and managing operational disruptions. While the immediate crisis was handled without loss of life, investigations into the precise cause of the hard landing and subsequent gear damage are expected to follow, involving aviation authorities from both India and Thailand. The event serves as a reminder of the complexities inherent in air travel and the continuous need for stringent maintenance and operational adherence. The quick and safe evacuation of all individuals onboard highlights the effectiveness of the training and procedures in place for such emergencies. The temporary closure of a major international airport's runway due to an aircraft incident has far-reaching effects, impacting global travel networks and requiring rapid logistical adjustments by airlines and airport management. Passengers impacted by diversions and delays faced altered travel plans, with airports and airlines working to provide updates and alternative arrangements. This incident is currently a prominent news item due to its recency and the involvement of an Indian carrier at an international destination, making it highly relevant to an Indian audience concerned with aviation safety and international travel. The detailed reporting from multiple credible news sources corroborates the key facts, indicating a verified and significant event.

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