MUMBAI: A Kerala-bound Air India Express Boeing 737-800 flight sustained damage after striking runway edge lights while attempting takeoff from Muscat airport, according to informed sources. Oman’s Air Accidents Investigation Sector (AAIS) has formally classified the incident as an accident and initiated a detailed investigation.
The event took place on the night of May 15, involving flight IX 712 operating from Muscat to Kannur. The aircraft, registered VT-AXR, entered runway 26L via taxiway E7 but aligned itself with the right-hand edge lights instead of the runway centreline in the dark conditions.
During the takeoff roll, the plane hit and destroyed several runway edge lights. A loud bang followed by a master caution alert in the cockpit prompted the crew to immediately reject the takeoff and bring the aircraft to a halt on the runway.
Sources indicated that the pilot-in-command was a foreign national, while the first officer was Indian. The aircraft reportedly suffered a hydraulic leak and a flat tyre. Passengers and crew were later deplaned directly onto the runway before being transported back to the terminal building.
ALSO READ : Air India Flight From Delhi Suffers Tail Strike During Landing At Bengaluru Airport
Further assessment revealed that the engines had sustained significant damage from foreign object debris ingestion caused by the impact with the lights. The aircraft remained grounded in Muscat for several days following the occurrence. A replacement Boeing 737-800 was deployed the next day to operate the flight to Kannur, resulting in a delay exceeding 13 hours for passengers.
Air India Express had not issued an official statement on the incident at the time of reporting.
This occurrence highlights the challenges of night operations and precise runway alignment, even for experienced crews at international airports. The ongoing probe by Oman’s AAIS will examine factors such as crew situational awareness, lighting conditions, and procedural adherence during the lineup for departure.