This article recounts the chilling moments aboard the flight where panic ensued, but ultimately, passengers landed safely despite significant damage to the aircraft.
Harrowing Hailstorm Encounter: Passengers’ Terrifying Flight Experience
Harrowing Hailstorm Encounter: Passengers’ Terrifying Flight Experience
Passengers on an IndiGo flight from New Delhi to Srinagar faced a life-threatening situation when their plane hit a severe hailstorm.
When Sheikh Samiullah boarded his IndiGo flight from New Delhi to Srinagar, he had no idea it would lead to a near-death experience for him and other passengers. The flight took a terrifying turn when it encountered a violent hailstorm shortly after takeoff. The calm skies transformed into chaos as the airplane began to plunge, leaving passengers screaming in fear.
"We were in sheer panic, praying in every language," recounted Samiullah, a logistics CEO. Within a span of five to six harrowing minutes, the aircraft was rocked violently as it struggled against the storm. Passengers feared for their lives, convinced they would not make it through the ordeal. A video posted by Samiullah depicted the distress, with passengers visibly shaken as they clutched their seats during the turbulence.
Fortunately, after what felt like an eternity, the IndiGo flight managed to touch down safely in Srinagar. Upon deboarding, passengers were greeted with a shocking sight: a considerable portion of the plane's nose was missing, indicating the extent of the hail damage.
IndiGo confirmed a sudden hailstorm had impacted the flight, affirming that the crew adhered to safety protocols to ensure the aircraft landed without further incident.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) highlights hailstorms as significant risks to aircraft during turbulent weather, explaining that hailstones can cause severe damage in seconds. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the aircraft's vulnerability in extreme weather, particularly given that even small hail can lead to operational dangers such as engine failure or loss of visibility.
In the wake of this event, experts stress the importance of utilizing weather radar systems designed to detect and avoid hazardous conditions, as turbulence and hail can be deadly in flight.
"We were in sheer panic, praying in every language," recounted Samiullah, a logistics CEO. Within a span of five to six harrowing minutes, the aircraft was rocked violently as it struggled against the storm. Passengers feared for their lives, convinced they would not make it through the ordeal. A video posted by Samiullah depicted the distress, with passengers visibly shaken as they clutched their seats during the turbulence.
Fortunately, after what felt like an eternity, the IndiGo flight managed to touch down safely in Srinagar. Upon deboarding, passengers were greeted with a shocking sight: a considerable portion of the plane's nose was missing, indicating the extent of the hail damage.
IndiGo confirmed a sudden hailstorm had impacted the flight, affirming that the crew adhered to safety protocols to ensure the aircraft landed without further incident.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) highlights hailstorms as significant risks to aircraft during turbulent weather, explaining that hailstones can cause severe damage in seconds. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the aircraft's vulnerability in extreme weather, particularly given that even small hail can lead to operational dangers such as engine failure or loss of visibility.
In the wake of this event, experts stress the importance of utilizing weather radar systems designed to detect and avoid hazardous conditions, as turbulence and hail can be deadly in flight.
