An IndiGo flight traveling from Delhi to Srinagar encountered intense mid-air turbulence on Wednesday evening due to a sudden hailstorm, prompting the pilot to declare an emergency with Air Traffic Control (ATC). The incident led to visible damage to the aircraft, including a shattered nose cone, but the plane managed to land safely at Srinagar Airport at 6:30 pm.
The flight, numbered 6E2142, was nearing its destination when it was caught in a violent weather system. A passenger aboard the flight captured a dramatic video that has since gone viral, showing hailstones pelting the aircraft’s fuselage while the cabin shook violently. The video revealed scenes of chaos, with passengers visibly panicking and cries echoing through the cabin as the aircraft endured the extreme weather.
Despite the alarming situation, all 227 passengers and the crew were safely evacuated after landing. Airport authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported. However, due to the damage sustained—particularly to the aircraft’s nose cone—the plane was declared "Aircraft on Ground" (AOG) by the airline, meaning it will remain grounded for inspection and urgent repairs.
“IndiGo flight 6E2142 en route from Delhi to Srinagar experienced bad weather (hailstorm), and an emergency was reported by the pilot to ATC Srinagar,” an official from the Airport Authority of India confirmed. “All aircrew and 227 passengers are safe, and the flight has been declared AOG by the airline,” the official added.
In an official statement, IndiGo said, “IndiGo flight 6E 2142 operating from Delhi to Srinagar encountered a sudden hailstorm en route. The flight and cabin crew followed established protocol, and the aircraft landed safely in Srinagar. The airport team attended to the customers after arrival of the aircraft, prioritising their wellbeing and comfort. The aircraft will be released post necessary inspection and maintenance.”
Meanwhile, the hailstorm that hit Delhi-NCR and surrounding regions late Wednesday evening caused an abrupt shift in weather conditions. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the storm was triggered by a cyclonic circulation over Haryana and adjacent areas, embedded in an east-west trough extending from Punjab to Bangladesh at lower tropospheric levels.
This sudden weather disturbance also disrupted flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, leading to delays, suspensions, and diversions of several domestic and international flights.
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