Post by : Shakul

An Air India Express Boeing 737-800 aircraft operating from Muscat to Kerala’s Kannur airport suffered heavy damage after veering off the runway and striking runway edge lights during takeoff preparations at Muscat International Airport in Oman. The incident took place on the night of May 15 and has now triggered a formal aviation investigation by Omani authorities.

According to preliminary reports, the aircraft was accelerating for departure when it entered runway 26L from taxiway E7 and unexpectedly collided with several runway edge lights. The impact damaged the aircraft’s nose landing gear and caused significant operational issues, forcing pilots to immediately abort the takeoff procedure for safety reasons.

Pilots reportedly heard a loud sound from the front section of the aircraft moments after the collision. Following the emergency stop, technical crews discovered multiple forms of damage, including a hydraulic system leak and a punctured tyre. Aviation officials later confirmed that both engines also suffered severe internal damage after debris and foreign objects were sucked into them during the incident.

Passengers and cabin crew members were evacuated directly from the aircraft while it remained stationed on the runway. Airport emergency teams responded quickly to secure the area and assist passengers before they were transported safely back to the airport terminal. No major injuries were reported among passengers or crew members during the evacuation process.

The damaged aircraft reportedly remained grounded at Muscat Airport for several days while safety inspections and technical assessments were carried out by aviation authorities. The following day, Air India Express arranged a replacement Boeing 737-800 aircraft to transport stranded passengers to Kannur in Kerala. However, the substitute flight departed more than thirteen hours later than originally scheduled.

Oman’s Air Accidents Investigation Sector has officially classified the occurrence as an aviation accident and launched a detailed investigation into the matter. Investigators are expected to examine runway conditions, aircraft movement procedures, cockpit communication, and possible technical or operational factors that may have contributed to the incident.

In an official statement, Air India Express confirmed that it is fully cooperating with the Oman Transport Safety Bureau throughout the investigation process. The airline also stated that alternative travel arrangements and accommodation were provided to affected passengers to minimize inconvenience caused by the disruption.

The incident has once again highlighted the importance of strict runway safety protocols and rapid emergency response systems at international airports. Aviation experts believe the investigation findings could help improve operational safety measures and prevent similar runway-related incidents in the future.

#Oman News #Aviation #Airlines #World News