Srinagar flight makes emergency landing after caught in mid-air hailstorm

Indigo Pilot Reports Emergency After Srinagar-Bound Aircraft With Over 200 People Caught In Hailstorm
Indigo Pilot Reports Emergency After Srinagar-Bound Aircraft With Over 200 People Caught In Hailstorm

Passengers scream, pray; heroics by pilot saved 227 on-board

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 21: An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Srinagar with over 227 people on board was caught in a sudden hailstorm mid-air this evening prompting emergency landing at Srinagar Airport.

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“IndiGo flight 6E2142 en route Delhi to Srinagar experienced bad weather (hailstorm), emergency reported by Pilot to ATC SXR (Srinagar),” an official of the Airport Authority of India said in Srinagar.
He said the flight landed safely at Srinagar at 6.30 p.m.

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“All Aircrew and 227 passengers are safe and the flight is declared AOG (Aircraft on ground) by the Airline,” he added.
The official said that realising the seriousness of the weather conditions, the pilot contacted Srinagar Air Traffic Control (ATC) and declared an emergency. “The aircraft was then cleared for priority landing. Despite the poor visibility and high winds, the pilot successfully landed the aircraft,” he said.
The official said that the flight, 6E2142, was nearing Srinagar when it encountered intense weather activity. Hailstones pounded the aircraft as it descended, resulting in what the airline described as “weather-related damage” to the nose section of the plane.
The hailstorm caused visible damage to the aircraft but prompted a swift and controlled response from the crew. The airline confirmed that flight 6E 2142 landed safely in Srinagar following standard operating procedures.
Videos from inside the plane, posted on various social media platforms, in which passengers can be heard screaming and praying for their safety. The images of the aircraft going viral on social media platforms suggested that the hailstorm badly broke off part of the plane’s nose.
According to the passengers of the aircraft, the plane shook heavily mid-air, the overhead luggage bins also opened and the luggage fell on some of the passengers. “There were moments of complete panic for the passengers. Will never forget this near-death experience in my entire life,” said a passenger.
Samiullah Sheikh, CEO of a private company, who was on board of the flight told Excelsior that it was a normal flight until it reached Jammu or Pathankot. “Then, an announcement was made to fasten seatbelts due to bad weather. As soon as we fastened our seatbelts, the flight suddenly shot up,” he said.
“Then it dropped just as abruptly. For nearly five minutes, it felt like a rollercoaster ride – up, down, right, and left. It was so intense that we genuinely thought the aircraft might crash. I must have taken around 200 flights so far, but I’ve never experienced anything like this. When we deboarded and saw the damage to the aircraft’s nose, it traumatised us even more,” he said.
Sheikh posted a 30 second video on X, saying, “I had a narrow escape while flying from Delhi to Srinagar. Flight number #6E2142. Hats off to the captain for the safe landing”.
The video depicts the travellers gripping their seats tightly as the aircraft encounters turbulence. Concerned expressions are visible on the faces of the passengers as the shaking intensifies. The unsteady recording concludes with anxious whispers circulating among the travellers.
The heroics of the pilot is drawing praise from passengers and aviation officials. Social media users are also praising the pilot and the crew.
In an official statement, IndiGo said, “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 aircraft sustained damage to its nose section, also known as the radome, likely due to impact from hailstones. Despite the intense weather, the crew remained composed and ensured the safety of all passengers on board.
Upon landing, IndiGo’s airport team attended to the passengers, prioritising their wellbeing and comfort. “The airport team attended to the customers after the arrival of aircraft prioritizing their wellbeing and comfort,” the airline added.
The aircraft is currently grounded in Srinagar and will undergo a thorough inspection. IndiGo stated, “The aircraft will be released post necessary inspection and maintenance.”
Meanwhile, many domestic and international flights to Delhi airport from various airports have been halted or diverted due to weather conditions in Delhi.
IndiGo and Air India have also issued advisories for passengers asking them to check the status of flight. “Heavy rain and thunderstorm in #Delhi, #Chandigarh and #Kolkata is impacting flights. We understand weather delays are never easy, we sincerely appreciate your patience. Do check your flight status before heading to the airport,” said IndiGo in a post on X.
Similarly, Air India said, “Rain and thunderstorms may disrupt flights to/from Delhi this evening. Please check your flight status.”