IndiGo Flight Struck by Hailstorm Mid-Air, Lands Safely in Srinagar Despite Severe Damage

TDT | Manama

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An IndiGo passenger aircraft traveling from New Delhi to Srinagar encountered a violent hailstorm mid-flight on Wednesday, triggering widespread panic among passengers and causing significant damage to the aircraft’s nose cone. Despite the harrowing experience, the flight crew managed to land the plane safely in Srinagar.

The incident occurred during what is typically a routine 90-minute journey between the Indian capital and the largest city in India-administered Kashmir. According to a statement from IndiGo, the flight “encountered a sudden hailstorm en route,” but the cabin and flight crew “followed established protocol,” ensuring a safe landing.

Though the airline did not disclose the extent of the damage, images circulated online show a large hole in the nose of the aircraft, believed to have been caused by hail impact. Severe weather, including heavy rain, lightning, and thunderstorms, was reported in Delhi on the same evening.

A video captured by passenger Sheikh Samiullah and posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) showed scenes of chaos inside the aircraft as it was rocked by severe turbulence. Screams filled the cabin, with passengers visibly shaken and children crying.

Speaking to the Press Trust of India, Samiullah recounted the terrifying ordeal: “There was so much turbulence that I thought it was my last flight. Everyone thought we would crash. It was such a traumatic experience.” He further expressed his shock at the extent of the damage once passengers disembarked, adding, “After we deboarded and saw the plane’s damage, it was even more traumatic. I wish no one goes through an experience like this.”

Aviation experts say incidents involving hail are not uncommon. Mary Schiavo, former Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Transportation and a CNN aviation analyst, explained that hail can breach a plane’s nose or windshield and significantly affect performance. “Sometimes bad weather doesn’t show up on the radar and you’re in the hail before you know it,” she said. Despite such challenges, Schiavo emphasized that commercial aircraft are designed to withstand severe conditions and praised the pilot’s manual handling of the situation.

While no injuries were reported, the incident has once again raised concerns about in-flight safety and the unpredictability of weather-related turbulence. It also follows a series of recent turbulence-related incidents globally, including a Singapore Airlines flight last year in which one person died and over 70 were injured.