A Air India Express aircraft experienced a nose landing gear malfunction while landing at Phuket International Airport on 11 March 2026.

The aircraft involved was a 10-month-old Boeing 737 MAX, registered VT-BWQ, operating flight IX938 from Hyderabad to Phuket.

According to initial reports, the aircraft encountered a malfunction in the nose landing gear during touchdown, which resulted in a hard landing on the runway.

Aircraft Stops on Runway After Hard Landing

After touching down, the aircraft came to a stop directly on the runway. Airport emergency teams responded quickly to the situation.

All passengers and crew members were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported, which aviation officials described as a positive outcome considering the nature of the incident.

Authorities at Phuket International Airport temporarily closed the runway for inspection while safety teams examined the aircraft and runway surface.

Investigation Launched Into Technical Fault

Following the incident, aviation authorities launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the nose landing gear malfunction. Technical teams will inspect the aircraft’s landing gear system and review flight data.

The Boeing 737 MAX is one of the most widely used modern narrow-body aircraft in commercial aviation, and airlines around the world operate it on medium-haul routes.

Experts say incidents like this are rare but taken very seriously by airlines and regulators to ensure passenger safety.

Aviation Safety Procedures Worked Successfully

Aviation analysts noted that crew training and airport emergency procedures played an important role in ensuring the safety of everyone onboard. The quick response from the flight crew and airport rescue teams helped avoid a more serious situation.

The aircraft will remain grounded until inspections and safety checks are completed.

Conclusion

The Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX incident in Phuket highlights how aviation safety systems work in real-world situations. Despite a nose landing gear malfunction, the aircraft landed safely, and all passengers and crew evacuated without injuries.

Authorities will release more information once the investigation into the technical issue is completed.

FAQ

What happened to the Air India Express flight in Phuket?
An Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX experienced a nose landing gear malfunction during landing at Phuket International Airport on 11 March 2026.

Were there any injuries in the incident?
No. All passengers and crew were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported.

Which aircraft was involved?
A 10-month-old Boeing 737 MAX aircraft registered VT-BWQ operating flight IX938 from Hyderabad to Phuket.

Is the runway at Phuket airport open now?
The runway was temporarily closed for inspection after the incident, and authorities are conducting safety checks.