Oman and India Air Safety Incident: Air India Express Boeing 737-800 Grounded After Runway Edge Light Collision During Takeoff Preparation

Written By: Rituparna Dutta Choudhury

Rituparna Dutta Choudhury

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May 25, 2026 06:18 GMT+5:30

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In a rare and serious aviation event, an Air India Express Boeing 737‑800 aircraft was rendered inoperable after a crucial takeoff procedure was incorrectly followed at Muscat International Airport in Oman before a scheduled flight to India. The incident was triggered when the aircraft inadvertently aligned with runway edge lights instead of the runway centreline, leading to significant runway infrastructure damage and critical aircraft system failures. During the acceleration phase for takeoff, impacts with edge lights caused a loud structural disturbance and multiple cockpit warnings, prompting an immediate rejected takeoff.

The misalignment and subsequent impact resulted in loss of hydraulic pressure in one system and a flat tire, leaving the aircraft stuck on the runway and unable to depart for Kannur, India. Passengers had to be evacuated onto the runway and transported back to the terminal, while the aircraft remained grounded in Oman for days, prompting scrutiny of runway safety protocols and alignment procedures across the region. This report provides a thorough and formal narrative of the incident, the sequence of events, operational consequences, and safety implications for international flights involving Oman and India.

Pre‑Takeoff Misalignment and Initial Events
Before the scheduled departure from Muscat Airport in Oman to Kannur in India, the 18‑year‑old Boeing 737‑800 was cleared for takeoff from Runway 26L late in the evening. Instead of positioning itself on the runway centreline, the aircraft was mistakenly aligned alongside the right side runway edge lights. These lights are designed solely to mark runway boundaries, not to guide aircraft during departure alignment. During the ground roll, multiple runway edge lights were struck and destroyed as the aircraft gathered speed. A sudden loud bang was followed by activation of the aircraft’s caution warning systems, indicating abnormal conditions. The pilots executed a rejected takeoff in response to the warnings. Following the stoppage on the runway, indications of hydraulic system loss and tyre damage were recorded. The aircraft had sustained damage and was incapacitated on the runway, requiring extensive ground handling and maintenance support before any further movement could occur. The event was later confirmed by aviation reporting platforms based on information from Omani authorities.

Hydraulic Failure and Ground Immobilization
As the takeoff roll was abandoned, cockpit systems showed a complete hydraulic leak in one of the aircraft’s primary hydraulic systems. The Boeing 737‑800 relies on multiple redundant hydraulic systems for essential operations, including braking and steering. The loss of pressure in one system, combined with a deflated tyre due to impact, left the plane unable to taxi under its own power. Ground crews were dispatched to assess and secure the aircraft. The damage to runway edge lights also required assessment and repair coordination with airport engineering teams. This combination of aircraft system failure and infrastructure damage rendered the jet immobile on an active runway, necessitating its grounding for thorough inspection. The aircraft remained stranded for an extended period at Muscat International Airport, delaying return to scheduled operations. The operator later described the cause of grounding as related to a tyre‑issue in a limited public statement, without detailed disclosure of runway misalignment or hydraulic loss.

Passenger Handling and Evacuation Procedures
Following the rejected takeoff, passengers and crew remained onboard the disabled aircraft for nearly two hours while ground teams coordinated safe disembarkation. With the aircraft stalled on the runway, mobile airstairs were brought directly to the jet to enable orderly evacuation onto the airfield. Passengers were transported by bus from the runway back to the terminal building. Throughout the process, the safety and well‑being of passengers were managed by airport staff and ground coordination teams. No serious medical issues were reported during the evacuation; however, prolonged time on the runway exposed travellers to inconvenience and heightened operational risk. This evacuation highlighted the logistical complexities that arise when an aircraft is disabled away from a gate, particularly in a foreign country. The coordination between airport safety officials, airline ground operations, and passenger services was critical to ensuring a safe and controlled removal of occupants from the plane.

Omani Aviation Investigation and Preliminary Findings
The aviation occurrence was classified as an accident by the relevant authority in Oman, and an investigation was launched to determine the sequence of events and contributing factors. Preliminary information released as part of the investigative process revealed that the Boeing aircraft entered Runway 26L from a taxiway and was inadvertently lined up with the runway’s right shoulder. The aircraft then followed the path defined by edge lighting, incorrectly. These lights delineate runway limits but were not intended as alignment guidance for departure rolls. The aircraft damaged runway infrastructure as it moved forward, and subsequent cockpit alarms indicated impact and system anomalies. Investigators emphasised understanding operational and procedural factors rather than assigning immediate blame. The focus was on determining why the aircraft was misaligned and how cockpit‑generated cues may have contributed to the continuation of the takeoff attempt until impact occurred.

Safety Protocols and Runway Alignment Importance
Runway alignment protocols are a fundamental aspect of flight operations. During critical phases such as takeoff, strict adherence to centreline positioning ensures that aircraft accelerate within protected boundaries designed to support structural loads and surface conditions. Misalignment can produce serious risks, including damage to runway lights, structural harm to tyres and landing gear, and hydraulic system compromise. In this event involving an Oman departure for India, incorrect positioning led directly to infrastructure destruction and aircraft system failures, illustrating the sensitivity of aircraft guidance systems and runway deployment protocols. Runway edge lights are vital for visual cues at night or in low visibility, but they must be interpreted correctly within flight crew procedures. The incident underscores the importance of updated training and procedural reinforcement for flight crews, especially when operating international routes involving complex taxiway and runway configurations.

Operational Impact on Air India Express Services
As a result of the grounded aircraft, scheduled services were disrupted. Relief operations were organised, with a replacement Boeing 737‑800 dispatched to complete the service to Kannur, India with significant delay. The incident drew attention from both aviation communities and regulatory bodies due to the extended grounding period and infrastructure repair requirements. Ground time for the aircraft necessitated coordination between maintenance teams, regulatory inspectors, and airport authorities to restore the plane to airworthy condition. Safety inspections were prioritised before the aircraft could be returned to service, ensuring that no residual damage remained from the initial runway light impacts or hydraulic system compromise.

Comparative Aviation Events and Broader Safety Lessons
The Oman misalignment event occurred within a period of heightened scrutiny of flight operations, with other occurrences involving India‑linked carriers reported around the same time. These included separate tail strike events, reinforcing the significance of procedural adherence during critical flight phases. While such incidents vary in context, they collectively emphasise the need for robust crew coordination, vigilant system monitoring, and strict compliance with airfield guidance protocols. The aviation industry continues to study these events to reinforce safeguards and refine best practices, both in home markets such as India and international hubs such as Oman’s Muscat Airport.

Safety Outlook
In summary, an Air India Express Boeing 737‑800 was grounded in Oman after an incorrect runway alignment before departure to India caused impacts with runway edge lights and significant aircraft system failures. The incident underscored the essential nature of runway positioning discipline, procedural compliance, and collaborative safety protocols. Passengers were safely evacuated and the aircraft remained grounded while investigations were continued and repairs planned. Ongoing analysis by aviation safety authorities aims to yield insights that can be applied to prevent future misalignment events, reinforcing operational safety for international flights connecting Oman and India.