Overview
- The Boeing 737-800 operated by Air India Express began takeoff from Muscat and reportedly aligned with the runway’s right-hand edge lights rather than the centreline before accelerating for departure.
- Crew members heard a loud bang and rejected the takeoff, after which passengers and crew disembarked on the runway and the aircraft was left disabled by reported engine and hydraulic damage and a flat tyre.
- The jet damaged several runway edge lights and suffered apparent foreign-object ingestion to both engines, according to reporting from sources at the scene.
- The aircraft stayed parked at Muscat airport for several days and a replacement 737-800 carried affected passengers to Kannur more than 13 hours after the original departure time.
- Oman’s air accident investigation body has opened a formal probe and classified the occurrence as an accident, and the airline says it is cooperating with the transport safety bureau while investigators verify technical and operational details.