An IndiGo flight en route from Delhi to Srinagar experienced a harrowing mid-air encounter with a severe hailstorm on Tuesday evening, forcing the pilot to declare an emergency. While the aircraft sustained visible damage to its nose cone, all 227 passengers and crew members aboard Flight 6E2142 landed safely at Srinagar Airport around 6:30 PM.
The dramatic incident unfolded as the plane was on approach to Srinagar, encountering an intense hailstorm that battered the aircraft. A viral video, captured by a passenger inside the cabin, vividly showed hailstones relentlessly striking the fuselage, causing the cabin to shake violently and sparking widespread panic and distress among those on board.
Upon landing, reports confirmed the safe evacuation of everyone from the aircraft. However, the extent of the damage led the airline to declare the plane “Aircraft on Ground” (AOG), grounding it for urgent repairs.
An official from the Airport Authority of India confirmed the emergency, stating, “IndiGo flight 6E2142 en route Delhi to Srinagar experienced bad weather (hail storm), emergency reported by Pilot to ATC SXR (Srinagar). All Aircrew and 227 passengers are safe and flight is declared AOG by Airline.”
IndiGo also released a statement, acknowledging the sudden hailstorm and confirming the safe landing. “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 the arrival of the aircraft, prioritising their well-being and comfort. The aircraft will be released post-necessary inspection and maintenance,” the airline said.
The severe weather, characterised by a sudden hailstorm and heavy rain, also impacted Delhi-NCR late Wednesday evening. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributed the weather pattern to a cyclonic circulation over Haryana and adjacent regions, part of an east-west trough. This unexpected weather disruption led to the suspension or diversion of several domestic and international flights at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi.