Air India Express flight IX938 from Hyderabad made a hard landing in Phuket after a nose wheel issue. All 133 passengers were safely evacuated as the runway was temporarily closed.
Air India Express flight IX938 from Hyderabad made a hard landing in Phuket [Photo: X]
An Air India Express flight travelling from Hyderabad to Thailand experienced a serious landing incident on Wednesday when it touched down at Phuket International Airport. The aircraft reportedly made a hard landing that damaged its nose landing gear, forcing airport authorities to temporarily close the runway.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft was carrying 133 passengers when the issue occurred. Airport emergency teams responded immediately after the landing, and authorities safely evacuated all passengers from the aircraft.
Crash Landing -
— Chaudhary Parvez (@ChaudharyParvez) March 11, 2026
Air India Express confirmed that its #Hyderabad–#Phuket flight on March 11 experienced a nose wheel issue during landing at #PhuketAirport, resulting in a hard landing.
The crew followed all safety protocols and all passengers were safely deplaned. No injuries… pic.twitter.com/3nIm9KoY3q
Officials later confirmed that the runway had to be shut for several hours to allow technicians to remove the aircraft and carry out safety inspections.
The incident occurred when Air India Express flight IX938 arrived at Phuket International Airport from Hyderabad on the morning of March 11. According to preliminary reports, the aircraft encountered a problem during landing that affected the front landing gear.
As the aircraft touched the runway, the nose wheel reportedly broke, causing the plane to slide briefly before coming to a stop. Photographs from the scene later showed the damaged nose wheel lying on the runway, indicating the severity of the impact.
Airport authorities immediately activated emergency procedures to ensure the safety of passengers and crew members. Fire and rescue teams quickly reached the aircraft while ground staff secured the area around the runway.
Despite the dramatic situation, officials confirmed that no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew.
Flight tracking data shows that flight IX938 departed from Hyderabad slightly later than scheduled. The aircraft took off at around 6:42 am instead of the planned departure time of 6:20 am.
After completing the international journey, the flight landed at Phuket International Airport at approximately 11:40 am local time. Within minutes of the landing, airport officials confirmed that the aircraft had suffered damage to its nose landing gear during touchdown.
The aircraft involved in the incident is a Boeing 737 MAX 8, a modern narrow-body aircraft widely used for short and medium-haul international routes.
Authorities said the aircraft remained on the runway while emergency crews assessed the situation and arranged for passenger evacuation.
Following the hard landing, airport authorities issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) announcing the temporary closure of the runway.
Officials confirmed that the runway would remain closed until 6 pm local time to allow technical teams to remove the aircraft and conduct safety inspections. During this time, some flights arriving at or departing from Phuket International Airport could face delays or operational changes.
Airport engineers also inspected the runway surface to ensure that no debris or structural damage could pose a risk to other aircraft.
Runway closures after such incidents are standard aviation safety procedures designed to protect other flights and maintain operational safety.
Airport authorities prioritised passenger safety immediately after the aircraft came to a stop. Emergency crews helped all passengers disembark from the plane and escorted them to a designated waiting area inside the airport.
Medical teams were also placed on standby as a precaution, though officials later confirmed that no injuries were reported. Passengers were provided assistance by airline staff and airport authorities while officials assessed the condition of the aircraft.
The swift response by emergency services helped prevent panic and ensured the situation remained under control.
The airline later confirmed the incident in an official statement and said that its crew followed all required safety procedures.
"We confirm that our Hyderabad-Phuket flight on March 11 experienced an issue with the nose wheel at Phuket Airport. The crew followed all standard protocols, and guests were deplaned. We thank our guests, the Phuket airport authorities, and all stakeholders for their cooperation," said the spokesperson.
The airline also said it is working with local authorities and aviation experts to investigate the exact cause of the landing gear problem.
The nose landing gear is one of the most important components of an aircraft’s landing system. It supports the front portion of the aircraft and plays a crucial role in steering while the plane moves on the runway.
During takeoff and landing, the nose gear helps stabilise the aircraft and ensures smooth ground operations. If the component fails or becomes damaged, it can create serious operational risks.
Aviation experts say incidents involving landing gear are rare but require immediate attention and investigation to determine the cause.
A detailed technical investigation is expected to examine the circumstances that led to the nose wheel damage during the landing. Aviation authorities typically review aircraft maintenance records, pilot reports, and runway conditions to understand what caused such incidents. Investigators will also assess whether weather conditions, mechanical failure, or operational factors contributed to the hard landing.
The findings will help aviation authorities and the airline ensure that similar incidents are prevented in the future while maintaining the safety standards expected in international aviation.
