Srinagar, May 22, 2025 – IndiGo Flight 6E-2142, en route from Delhi to Srinagar, faced a terrifying ordeal when it encountered severe turbulence caused by a sudden hailstorm, damaging the aircraft’s nose cone and sparking panic among its 227 passengers. The Airbus A321 (registration VT-IMD) made a safe emergency landing at Srinagar’s Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport at 6:30 PM IST, with no injuries reported. The aircraft has been grounded for inspection and declared “Aircraft on Ground” (AOG) by IndiGo.
The flight took off from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport around 5:00 PM but hit extreme weather conditions mid-flight. A hailstorm battered the plane, severely damaging the radome—the nose cone protecting vital radar equipment. The pilot promptly declared an emergency to Srinagar Air Traffic Control (ATC), navigating through the storm to ensure a safe landing. Passengers described the experience as chaotic, with the aircraft shaking violently and hailstones pounding the fuselage. “It felt like the plane wouldn’t hold. I was praying for my life,” said passenger Ayesha Mir, speaking to local outlet Kashmir Pulse.
Video footage shared on social media captured the intensity of the turbulence, with passengers gripping their seats and some chanting prayers. Despite the chaos, the crew’s professionalism shone through. “The pilot and cabin crew were our heroes. They stayed calm and got us down safely,” said passenger Rohan Sharma.
IndiGo released a statement: “Flight 6E-2142 from Delhi to Srinagar encountered unexpected severe weather, including a hailstorm, causing damage to the aircraft. Our trained crew followed safety protocols, ensuring a safe landing in Srinagar. We are supporting our passengers and conducting a thorough inspection of the aircraft.”
The storm was part of a larger weather system affecting northern India, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reporting heavy rain and winds up to 80 km/h in Delhi-NCR. The incident disrupted multiple flights, with delays reported across the region. Aviation analyst Priya Malhotra noted, “Hailstorms pose a serious risk to aircraft, especially to critical components like the radome. This incident underscores the need for precise weather forecasting and real-time updates for pilots.”
Among the passengers were five Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MPs, including Derek O’Brien and Sagarika Ghose, all unharmed. Social media buzzed with praise for the pilot, with users like @SkyWatcher_India calling for official recognition of the crew’s skill.
The aircraft remains in Srinagar for repairs, and IndiGo has arranged support for affected passengers. The incident has sparked discussions about improving weather monitoring systems to prevent such close calls in the future.
