Srinagar: Panic gripped passengers aboard IndiGo flight 6E2142 on Tuesday evening after the aircraft encountered severe turbulence caused by a sudden hailstorm while preparing to land at Srinagar airport.
The flight, which originated from Delhi, ran into intense weather conditions during its final approach. The impact of the turbulence was so severe that it caused significant damage to the aircraft’s nose cone. In response, the pilot declared an emergency with Air Traffic Control (ATC).
Despite the alarming situation, the flight crew managed to land the aircraft safely at around 6:30 pm. Visual inspection confirmed visible damage to the aircraft, but all 160 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated without any injuries.
Passengers described a frightening scene onboard, with the aircraft shaking violently mid-air and many visibly distressed. IndiGo has assured that the situation is under review and that safety protocols were followed.
Officials from the airline, along with aviation authorities, are currently investigating the incident and analyzing flight data to determine the extent of the damage and the circumstances leading to the emergency.