Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX Suffers Hard Landing at Phuket; Nose Gear Separates, All 138 Safe
Air India Express 737 MAX had hard landing at Phuket with nose gear separation; all 138 passengers safe; AAIC to investigate.
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Key Points for RAS
- Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX 8 (Flight IX938, VT-BWQ) from Hyderabad suffered a hard landing at Phuket International Airport on March 11, 2026.
- The aircraft touched down nose-first, causing both nose gear tyres to separate, and skidded on the strut for hundreds of metres.
- All 138 passengers and crew were safely evacuated with no injuries.
- Phuket airport shut down operations for approximately five hours.
- The nose wheels had been replaced just three days earlier on March 8.
- Thailand's Aircraft Accident Investigation Committee (AAIC) will lead the investigation under ICAO Annex 13.
An Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX 8 (Flight IX938, registration VT-BWQ) from Hyderabad suffered a hard landing at Phuket International Airport on March 11, 2026. The aircraft touched down nose-first, causing both nose gear tyres to separate, and the plane skidded on the strut for hundreds of metres before stopping mid-runway. All 138 passengers and crew were safely evacuated with no injuries. The airport shut down operations for approximately five hours as ground crews installed a replacement strut and axle. Notably, the nose wheels had been replaced just three days earlier on March 8. Thailand's Aircraft Accident Investigation Committee (AAIC) will lead the investigation under ICAO Annex 13.
Frequently Asked Questions
1 What happened to Air India Express Flight IX938 at Phuket International Airport in March 2026?
Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX 8 (Flight IX938, VT-BWQ) from Hyderabad suffered a hard landing at Phuket International Airport on March 11, 2026. The aircraft touched down nose-first, causing both nose gear tyres to separate, and the plane skidded on the strut for hundreds of metres before stopping mid-runway. All 138 passengers and crew were safely evacuated with no injuries.
2 Was anyone injured in the Air India Express hard landing at Phuket in March 2026?
No injuries were reported in the Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX 8 hard landing at Phuket International Airport on March 11, 2026. All 138 passengers and crew were safely evacuated. The airport shut down operations for approximately five hours while ground crews installed a replacement strut and axle.
3 Which agency is investigating the Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX hard landing at Phuket 2026?
Thailand's Aircraft Accident Investigation Committee (AAIC) will lead the investigation into the Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX 8 hard landing at Phuket International Airport (March 11, 2026) under ICAO Annex 13. The nose wheels had been replaced just three days earlier on March 8, a fact relevant to the investigation.
4 When were the nose wheels of Air India Express Flight IX938 replaced before the March 2026 Phuket incident?
The nose wheels of Air India Express Flight IX938 had been replaced just three days before the incident, on March 8, 2026. The aircraft suffered a hard landing at Phuket International Airport on March 11, 2026, with both nose gear tyres separating. Thailand's AAIC is investigating under ICAO Annex 13.
5 How long was Phuket International Airport shut down after the Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX incident in March 2026?
Phuket International Airport shut down operations for approximately five hours after the Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX 8 hard landing on March 11, 2026. Ground crews installed a replacement strut and axle. All 138 passengers and crew were safely evacuated. Thailand's AAIC will investigate under ICAO Annex 13.
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