Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK : The Air India Express flight from Hyderabad to Phuket International Airport experienced a critical landing gear issue on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, when its nose wheel malfunctioned during touchdown, forcing a hard landing and temporarily closing the runway for several hours. 

The aircraft involved was Flight IX938, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 registered as VT‑BWQ, which departed Hyderabad in the morning and touched down at Phuket around 11:40 am local time. During the final stages of landing, the plane encountered problems with its front nose‑wheel gear, causing it to collapse or suffer severe damage upon contact with the runway surface. 

Immediately after the incident, airport authorities issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and closed the single runway at Phuket International Airport to allow emergency crews to secure the scene and inspect the area. The closure was expected to last until about 6 pm local time, resulting in delays and diversions for incoming and outgoing flights throughout the day. 

All passengers and crew aboard the flight were safely evacuated from the aircraft with no reported injuries, according to both airline statements and airport officials. Passengers were transported to the terminal after disembarking via mobile stairs once the aircraft came to a stop. 

The malfunction left the plane stranded on the runway, making it difficult for ground crews to immediately tow it away. As a result, airport operations were temporarily suspended, affecting travel schedules and leading to flight hold‑offs and diversions to alternate airports.

Air India Express confirmed the incident in an official statement, emphasizing that the flight crew followed all standard safety protocols and that all passengers were safely deplaned. The airline said it is working with local authorities and aviation experts to investigate the exact cause of the nose‑gear failure during landing. 

Photos and video footage shared by witnesses at the scene showed the damaged nose wheel lying on the runway, illustrating the severity of the landing gear issue. Emergency response teams and airport staff mobilised quickly to assist passengers and clear the aircraft from the runway once inspections were complete. 

The closure and subsequent clearance of the runway were part of standard aviation safety procedures designed to protect other flights and ensure the airport’s infrastructure remained undamaged following the incident.