Airlines
IndiGo Flight with 227 Onboard Hit by Severe Hailstorm, Aircraft Nose Damaged
Passengers aboard IndiGo Flight 6E 2142 faced a terrifying ordeal as a sudden hailstorm triggered severe turbulence, forcing an emergency landing in Srinagar.
A terrifying twist midair — a sudden hailstorm turned a routine domestic flight into a near-death experience for over 200 passengers.
Turbulence in the skies is not uncommon, but when nature lashes out without warning, even the calmest journeys can spiral into moments of sheer panic. For the passengers aboard indigo airlines Flight 6E 2142 from Delhi to Srinagar, what began as a standard evening flight quickly morphed into a nightmare, as violent turbulence and a fierce hailstorm rocked the aircraft.
Severe Turbulence Turns Flight into Nightmare
On the evening of May 21, indigo flight 6E 2142 en route from Delhi to Srinagar was suddenly caught in severe turbulence caused by an unexpected hailstorm midflight. The violent weather battered the aircraft, leading to significant damage to its nose section — the radome — likely from hailstone impacts.
While turbulence is a known risk in aviation, the magnitude and suddenness of this storm caught passengers and crew off guard. A viral video circulating on social media shows the aircraft violently shaking as hail pelted the fuselage.
Inside the cabin, chaos erupted — overhead compartments rattled, lights flickered, and visibly distressed passengers clung to their seats as the plane jolted violently. Despite the fear and panic, there were no injuries reported.
Emergency Landing in Srinagar
In response to the deteriorating conditions, the pilot promptly declared an emergency to the Air Traffic Control. Demonstrating exceptional skill and composure, the crew managed to safely land the damaged aircraft at Srinagar Airport.
Contrary to some reports, live flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed that the flight touched down at its scheduled arrival time of 6:30 PM. However, officials at Srinagar Airport later clarified that the pilot had indeed declared an emergency, and the situation was treated with utmost seriousness on the ground.
Aftermath and Grounding of the Aircraft
Upon landing, indigo boeing 787 ground crew immediately responded, ensuring all passengers were safe and attended to. “The airport team attended to the customers after arrival, prioritising their wellbeing and comfort,” the airline stated.
The indigo aircraft, however, has been grounded in Srinagar pending a comprehensive inspection. indigo airlines confirmed that the plane will only be cleared for future flights after it undergoes necessary maintenance and safety checks. “The aircraft will be released post necessary inspection and maintenance,” the airline noted.
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