Air India Express B737 hits runway edge lights during take-off at Muscat, probe underway

Mumbai: An Air India Express Boeing 737-800 operating a night flight to Kannur suffered damage during take-off at Muscat airport after the aircraft lined up with runway edge lights instead of the runway centreline at night, said sources. Oman’s Air Accidents Investigation Sector (AAIS) has classified the occurrence as an accident and launched an investigation.

The incident occurred on May 15 after flight IX 712 from Muscat to Kannur had lined up for departure at 9.10 pm, local time. The aircraft, registered as VT-AXR, entered runway 26L from taxiway E7 and aligned with the right-hand edge lights before commencing take-off. According to a source, the pilot-in-command was a foreign national while the first officer was Indian.

During the take-off roll the aircraft struck and destroyed a number of runway edge lights, said sources. After a loud bang and a master caution indication in the cockpit, the crew rejected the take-off and brought the aircraft to a stop on the runway.

“The aircraft reportedly suffered a hydraulic leak and a flat tyre. Passengers and crew later disembarked on the runway before being taken back to the terminal,” said a source.

Sources said the aircraft’s engines were severely damaged due to foreign object ingestion.

The aircraft remained grounded in Muscat for several days after the occurrence. A replacement Boeing 737-800 operated the flight to Kannur the following day with a delay of over 13 hours.

An Air India Express spokesperson said: “We are actively engaging with the Oman Transport Safety Bureau in investigating the incident involving our aircraft on 15 May at Muscat Airport. Further updates may be issued when appropriate by the relevant authorities. We provided an alternative aircraft and accommodation where required to all impacted guests to facilitate their journeys to Kannur.”