The terrifying incident aboard IndiGo flight 6E2142 from Delhi to Srinagar, which encountered severe mid-air turbulence due to a hailstorm, has once again raised concerns about extreme weather impacting air safety and flight operations in India.
Here are the key highlights and developments from the incident:
The Incident
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The aircraft, carrying 227 passengers, was nearing Srinagar Airport on Wednesday evening when it was struck by sudden hailstorm-induced turbulence.
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The pilot declared an emergency with Air Traffic Control (ATC) as the aircraft was battered by hailstones, visibly damaging the nose cone of the plane.
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Despite the chaos and panic onboard, the pilot successfully landed the aircraft safely at 6:30 PM.
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A viral video recorded by a passenger showed hailstones pounding the fuselage and panic among flyers as the aircraft violently shook mid-air.
Aftermath
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All passengers and crew were safely evacuated after landing.
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The damage to the aircraft was serious enough that it was declared “Aircraft on Ground (AOG)”, which means it will remain grounded for inspection and repairs.
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IndiGo confirmed that established safety protocols were followed and that customer wellbeing was prioritised upon landing.
IndiGo’s Official Statement
“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 customers after arrival, prioritising their wellbeing and comfort.”
Weather Conditions
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According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the hailstorm was caused by a cyclonic circulation over Haryana, embedded in an east-west trough from Punjab to Bangladesh at lower tropospheric levels.
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The sudden and intense weather system not only disrupted this flight but also forced the suspension and diversion of several other domestic and international flights at Delhi’s IGI Airport.
Broader Implications
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This incident sheds light on the growing impact of climate-linked weather anomalies on aviation safety.
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It underscores the need for improved real-time weather forecasting, better in-flight weather avoidance systems, and enhanced training for flight crews to manage high-risk weather patterns.
The calm and coordinated response by the flight crew likely prevented what could have been a major disaster. However, it also reinforces the urgency for aviation stakeholders to adapt to increasingly erratic weather patterns in the region.
