Aviation Incident: Air India Express Boeing 737 Suffers Hard Landing at Phuket Airport, Runway Closed

PHUKET, Thailand: A routine flight turned into a high-stakes incident on March 11, 2026, when an Air India Express Boeing 737-800 made a hard landing at Phuket International Airport (HKT). The incident, which occurred during the afternoon arrival, resulted in structural damage to the airport’s sole runway, leading to significant disruption in regional air traffic.

The Incident: What Happened?

Preliminary reports from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) indicate that the flight, arriving from a major Indian hub, encountered unstable wind conditions during its final approach. Upon touchdown, the aircraft experienced a "hard landing" that exceeded standard G-force operational limits.

While all passengers and crew were safely evacuated without any life-threatening injuries, the impact caused noticeable damage to the runway surface, specifically impacting the asphalt overlay and lighting systems.

"We are currently conducting a detailed technical assessment to determine the exact cause of the hard landing," an Air India Express spokesperson stated. "Our primary focus remains the safety of our passengers and cooperation with local aviation authorities to restore normalcy."

Impact on Operations

The incident forced the immediate closure of Phuket International Airport’s runway for several hours to conduct emergency repairs and remove the debris.

• Flight Diversions: Multiple international and domestic flights bound for Phuket were diverted to Krabi and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airports.

• Flight Cancellations: At least 15 scheduled arrivals and departures were canceled, affecting thousands of tourists during the peak travel season.

• Runway Assessment: Aviation engineers were deployed to verify the structural integrity of the pavement, as cracks and indentation marks were visible on the landing zone.

Safety Protocols and Investigation

The Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has mandated a full investigation into the incident. The flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) are being analyzed to confirm if the incident was due to sudden wind shear, pilot error, or mechanical issues with the landing gear.

Air India Express has initiated its own internal safety audit, as the airline reviews its standard operating procedures (SOPs) for landings at high-traffic, weather-sensitive airports like Phuket.

Passenger Experience

Passengers onboard the flight described a "sudden jolt" followed by a rapid deceleration. "We felt the plane hit the ground very hard, but the pilots managed to keep it on the centerline," said one traveler. Emergency services were on standby as per standard protocol, but the aircraft was able to taxi to a remote bay for passenger disembarkation.

The airport authority is working around the clock to clear the runway, with operations expected to resume fully by late evening. Travelers are advised to check their flight status with their respective airlines before heading to the airport.