Incident
On 11 October 2018, Air India Express Flight 611, an international flight from Tiruchirappalli, India, to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, experienced a severe tail strike during takeoff. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 registered as VT-AYD, struck the localizer antenna and the perimeter wall after the captain's backrest collapsed. Despite the damage, the flight continued towards the United Arab Emirates.
Flight Details
The flight was operated by Air India Express. The captain's backrest collapsing on takeoff led to the tail strike and subsequent collision with airport infrastructure. The exact time of day and weather conditions are not specified in the source.
Aftermath
As the aircraft neared Oman, it was diverted to Mumbai, India, where it landed safely. The source does not mention any injuries among occupants or the extent of damage beyond the tail strike and impact with the localizer antenna and perimeter wall.
Probable Cause
The accident was due to the captain's backrest collapsing on takeoff.