Panic, Cries as IndiGo Flight Hit by Turbulence, Lands in Srinagar with Damaged Nose

 Panic, Cries as IndiGo Flight Hit by Turbulence, Lands in Srinagar with Damaged Nose

Panic, Cries as IndiGo Flight Hit by Turbulence, Lands in Srinagar with Damaged Nose

IndiGo flight 6E2142 experienced severe turbulence caused by a hailstorm while approaching Srinagar. The impact damaged the aircraft's nose cone, leading to a tense landing. Despite the chaos and panic among passengers, all onboard — both crew and travelers — were safely evacuated after landing.

In Short:

• IndiGo flight 6E2142 encountered severe hailstorm turbulence on its way to Srinagar

• Pilot declared an emergency due to extreme weather; aircraft landed with a damaged nose

• All passengers and crew were safely evacuated up
  on landing at 6:30 pm

An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Srinagar ran into intense turbulence caused by a hailstorm on Tuesday evening. As the aircraft approached Srinagar, the rough weather prompted the pilot to declare an emergency with Air Traffic Control (ATC). The turbulence resulted in visible damage to the aircraft's nose cone. Despite the challenging conditions, the crew safely landed the plane at Srinagar Airport at 6:30 pm. All passengers and crew disembarked safely.

A viral video recorded by a passenger onboard captured the intense moment hailstones pounded the aircraft's fuselage, causing the cabin to shake violently. The footage showed passengers visibly distressed, with cries and panic spreading as the plane struggled through the severe weather conditions. 

Reports from the scene confirm that all 227 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated after the aircraft landed. However, the damage sustained was substantial, prompting IndiGo to declare the aircraft “Aircraft on Ground” (AOG), grounding it for immediate repairs.

“IndiGo flight 6E2142, en route from Delhi to Srinagar, encountered severe weather, including a hailstorm. The pilot reported an emergency to ATC Srinagar,” said an official from the Airport Authority of India.

“All crew members and passengers are safe, and the airline has declared the aircraft AOG,” the official added.

IndiGo issued an official statement regarding the incident, confirming that the flight landed safely at Srinagar Airport.

"IndiGo flight 6E2142, operating from Delhi to Srinagar, encountered a sudden hailstorm en route. The flight and cabin crew followed established protocols, and the aircraft landed safely in Srinagar. Upon arrival, our airport team assisted customers, prioritizing their wellbeing and comfort. The aircraft will undergo the necessary inspection and maintenance before being released," the airline stated.

Meanwhile, a sudden hailstorm accompanied by heavy rain swept through Delhi-NCR on Wednesday evening, causing a rapid change in weather conditions. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the disturbance is linked to a cyclonic circulation over Haryana and surrounding areas, embedded within an east-west trough extending from Punjab to Bangladesh at lower tropospheric levels.

The unexpected weather event led to the suspension and diversion of several domestic and international flights at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.