Runway edge lights treated as runway in Air India Express take off accident in Oman

On May 15, 2026, an Air India Express Boeing 737-800 aircraft operating from Muscat to Kannur aligned itself with the runway edge lights during takeoff, treating them as runways and damaging multiple runway lights in the process.

The incident resulted in a hydraulic leak and a flat tire, and the crew refused takeoff after hearing a “big bang” sound and an alarm in the cockpit.

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Oman’s air accident investigation agency said the incident was treated as an accident and is being investigated. The plane remained grounded in Muscat for more than nine days.