In a frightening turn of events, IndiGo flight 6E2142, en route from Delhi to Srinagar, faced extreme turbulence on Wednesday, May 22nd, after being caught in a powerful hailstorm. The terrifying ordeal was captured in a viral video, where panicked passengers and crying children could be heard as the aircraft shook violently.
What Happened?
According to reports, the Airbus A320 aircraft carrying 227 passengers encountered sudden and severe turbulence mid-flight due to a hailstorm over Northern India. The incident caused visible structural damage, particularly to a small portion of the aircraft’s nose. Lightning could be seen flashing through the airplane’s windows, and the passengers’ distress was clearly audible in the footage.
The pilot immediately reported an emergency to the Srinagar Air Traffic Control (ATC) and began emergency protocols. Fortunately, the flight landed safely at Srinagar Airport at around 6:30 PM. IndiGo Airlines confirmed that the cabin crew followed all established safety procedures, ensuring the well-being of all on board.
“IndiGo flight 6E2142 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 airline said.
While the airline did not officially detail the extent of the damage, viral images circulating on social media revealed a cracked and broken portion of the aircraft’s radome (nose cone), caused by the high-impact hail. The aircraft has since been grounded for mandatory inspection and maintenance.
Weather Chaos in Delhi-NCR
This mid-air emergency coincided with a sudden and intense weather change in Delhi-NCR. Between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM, Delhi’s Safdarjung observatory recorded 12.2 mm of rainfall. The storm, with wind speeds of up to 79 kmph, caused widespread tree felling, waterlogging, and traffic congestion.
Delhi’s metro services, especially the Yellow Line, were disrupted, and several areas of Noida reported broken windows and damaged hoardings due to gusty winds. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributed the erratic weather to a cyclonic circulation over Haryana and surrounding regions, fed by moisture from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
Heatwave to Hailstorm
Earlier that same day, the capital experienced unbearable heat with the heat index peaking at a scorching 50.2°C. The actual recorded maximum temperature was 40.7°C, about 0.5°C above normal, while humidity levels fluctuated between 64% and 34%, creating an intensely uncomfortable environment.
Airline Response and Safety
After landing, the IndiGo ground team in Srinagar promptly attended to the passengers, ensuring comfort and care. The airline assured that the aircraft will be cleared for flight only after a thorough inspection and necessary repairs.
Key Takeaways:
Flight Affected: IndiGo Flight 6E2142 (Delhi to Srinagar)
Passengers: 227
Incident: Mid-air turbulence and hailstorm
Damage: Aircraft nose damaged
Landing: Safe landing at Srinagar
Response: Emergency declared; passengers cared for post-landing
Final Thoughts
While aviation remains one of the safest modes of transportation, unpredictable weather events like hailstorms can still pose risks. The swift actions by the IndiGo crew and the safe landing underline the importance of emergency preparedness and stringent safety protocols.
Stay updated for more aviation news and weather alerts across India.
