Phuket, Thailand –
A dramatic incident took place at Phuket International Airport when a passenger aircraft experienced a hard landing late Wednesday morning, causing its nose wheel to detach from the axle. The aircraft continued to skid along the runway on its nose gear strut, causing an immediate emergency response from airport authorities.
The event occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m., when the aircraft struck the runway with unusual force, damaging the nose landing gear. Airport officials swiftly activated emergency protocols, securing the runway and deploying personnel to manage the situation.
Phuket Governor Nirut Pongsitthithavorn arrived at the airport to oversee operations firsthand, coordinating with multiple agencies to ensure safety and expedite recovery efforts.
Between 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., airport crews worked under the emergency plan to stabilize the aircraft and prepare for its removal. By 2:00 p.m., two heavy cranes were brought in to lift the damaged nose section, allowing a towbarless vehicle to position itself and haul the aircraft off the runway.
Authorities expressed the urgency of clearing the runway to minimize disruption to scheduled flights. Initial inspections confirmed that the runway itself did not sustain severe damage requiring closure but would be delays until 6:00 PM today, March 11th.
Once the aircraft was removed, crews began cleaning debris and fragments scattered by the impact to restore the runway for safe operations.
Phuket International Airport remains in the process of resolving the incident. Passengers with scheduled flights are advised to check directly with their airlines for updated flight statuses before traveling to the airport.
