Passengers aboard an IndiGo flight traveling from Delhi to Srinagar experienced a terrifying ordeal on Wednesday evening when the aircraft was struck by a sudden hailstorm, causing intense turbulence that led to a panicked situation inside the cabin. The flight, which was carrying over 220 people, including several Trinamool Congress (TMC) Members of Parliament, was forced to make an emergency landing at Srinagar Airport around 6:30 PM.
As the flight encountered the severe weather, turbulence rocked the plane, leading to moments of fear and distress among passengers. Videos shared on social media showed a visibly shaken group of travelers, many of whom were heard praying and making religious supplications as the plane swayed uncontrollably. Some passengers reported that the nose of the aircraft appeared damaged during the turbulence, though this was not immediately confirmed by official sources.
IndiGo Flight 6E2142, which was en route from Delhi to Srinagar, had to report an emergency to the air traffic control (ATC) at Srinagar Airport. The aircraft was grounded after landing safely, and all 227 passengers, along with the flight crew, were unharmed. The Airport Authority of India confirmed that the flight landed without further incident. “The flight has been declared AOG (Aircraft on Ground) by the airline,” an official said, referring to a status where an aircraft cannot fly due to technical issues or damage.
TMC MP Sagarika Ghose, who was on board the flight, described the experience as “near-death” and expressed immense relief that the pilot was able to land the plane safely. “It was a near-death experience. I thought my life was over. People were screaming, praying, and panicking. Hats off to the pilot who brought us through that,” she recounted. Ghose also mentioned that the nose of the plane seemed to have sustained damage upon landing.
Passenger Owais Maqbool Hakeem shared similar concerns, posting on social media that the nose and right side of the plane were visibly damaged. He also mentioned that the passengers were not allowed to inspect the damage immediately due to the presence of the air force and security personnel at the airport.
One other passenger, who has flown frequently, noted that the turbulence felt more intense than any previous flight experience. “Around 20-30 minutes before landing, there was an announcement to fasten seatbelts due to turbulence, and soon after, the situation escalated to a point where everyone feared the worst,” the passenger said. “But I am thankful to the pilot for bringing us safely to the ground.”
In response to the incident, IndiGo released a statement confirming the weather-related disruption. “IndiGo flight 6E 2142, operating from Delhi to Srinagar, encountered a sudden hailstorm en route. The flight and cabin crew followed the established protocol, and the aircraft landed safely at Srinagar,” the airline said. IndiGo also assured that its ground staff immediately attended to the passengers upon arrival, prioritizing their comfort and well-being. “The aircraft will be released post necessary inspection and maintenance,” the statement concluded.
This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of aviation, especially when aircraft encounter severe weather conditions. The swift response of the crew and the pilot’s skillful landing were praised, as passengers expressed their gratitude for the safe resolution of the potentially disastrous situation.
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