Airlines

Severe Hailstorm Damages Nose and Cockpit Windows of Austrian Airlines Flight

An Austrian Airlines flight from Palma de Mallorca, Spain to Vienna, Austria (flight OS434) encountered a severe hailstorm during its approach to Vienna-Schwechat Airport on Sunday, sustaining significant damage.

The airline reported that the aircraft was struck by a severe thunderstorm cell that was not visible on the weather radar, resulting in extensive damage to the cockpit windows, exterior coverings, and notably, the nose cone.

The cockpit crew, caught off guard by the invisible storm cell, made a mayday distress call as the plane was battered by hail. The impact damaged the two front cockpit windows, stripped coverings off the aircraft’s nose, and caused other external damage. Photos shared on social media vividly displayed the severe damage to the front of the plane.

When you send off four besties and they end up being „attacked“ by hail, lose half of the cockpit nose and have their front windows shattered prior to arrival. #OS434 Palma to Vienna. Very pleased you all touched ground – alive. Thanks #austrian #aua #airlines pic.twitter.com/SHOUsUY5Wg— Exithamster (@exithamster) June 9, 2024

Passenger Emmeley Oakley, who was on board during the chaotic flight, recounted the harrowing experience to ABC News. She mentioned that they were about 20 minutes from landing when the plane entered a cloud of hail and thunderstorm, leading to powerful turbulence.

“We could definitely feel the hail coming down on the plane and it was quite loud and… super rocky for a minute,” Oakley described in a text message to the station. She estimated that the plane took about two minutes or less to fly through the hailstorm, during which “phones and cups” were thrown around the cabin, causing some passengers to panic and scream.

Oakley praised the cabin crew for their swift and effective response in calming the distressed passengers, ensuring safety and order within the cabin. austrian airlines hail

Despite the turbulent and alarming approach, the flight landed safely at Vienna-Schwechat Airport, with no injuries reported among the passengers or crew. Austrian Airlines confirmed the safe landing and stated that their technical team is currently inspecting the aircraft to assess the extent of the damage.

Airlines

A Costly Mistake: Passenger Pays for Fuel After Disruptive Flight

A Western Australian man has learned a costly lesson after his unruly behavior on a flight resulted in the aircraft having to turn back. The passenger was ordered to pay over $5,000 in fuel costs, along with a significant fine, for causing the plane to divert.

The incident occurred in September 2023 when the man, who was not publicly named, became disruptive on a flight from Perth to Sydney. Due to his behavior, the pilot was forced to turn the plane around and return to Perth, which required dumping fuel to land safely.

The passenger pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly behavior and non-compliance with safety instructions. As a result, he was ordered to pay $8,630 to the airline to cover the cost of the wasted fuel and was also fined $6,055. This combined penalty of over $11,000 is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of disruptive behavior on flights.

While this is not a typical punishment, other cases of in-flight misconduct have resulted in hefty fines. One passenger in the United States was fined over $40,000 for a series of offenses, including bringing their own alcohol on board, being intoxicated, attempting to smoke marijuana, and sexually assaulting a flight attendant.

The Australian Federal Police emphasized that disruptive behavior on flights will not be tolerated. They warned that individuals who cause disturbances can face significant financial penalties and legal consequences. The case of the Western Australian passenger serves as a clear message that obeying airline staff and adhering to safety regulations is essential for a smooth and safe flight.