Passengers Scream As IndiGo Flight Hit By Turbulence, Aircraft Damaged

A Srinagar-bound IndiGo flight from Delhi turned into a terrifying experience for over 200 passengers after it was caught in a sudden hailstorm mid-air.

The aircraft, flight number 6E2142, encountered violent turbulence that damaged a portion of the plane’s nose and left passengers in panic. A video from inside the flight has since gone viral, capturing the horror as it unfolded.

Chaos in the Cabin: Passengers Scream as Storm Hits

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, May 21, when IndiGo flight 6E2142 took off from Delhi for Srinagar with 227 passengers on board. As the plane flew through North India, it was hit by an unexpected hailstorm, triggering intense turbulence. The violent shaking caused panic among passengers, especially children, who could be heard screaming and crying in a now-viral video from the cabin.

Lightning flashes are also visible through the aircraft windows in the video, while overhead compartments rattled and some passengers held tightly to their seats or reached out in prayer. The fear was palpable, and the atmosphere inside the cabin quickly turned to chaos.

Pilot Declares Emergency, Aircraft Lands Safely

As the turbulence worsened, the pilot of the flight declared an emergency and contacted Air Traffic Control (ATC) at Srinagar. Officials confirmed that despite the mid-air crisis, the aircraft landed safely at Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar at around 6:30 PM.

An IndiGo spokesperson said, “Flight 6E2142 operating from Delhi to Srinagar encountered a sudden hailstorm en route. The flight and cabin crew followed established protocols, and the aircraft landed safely.”

Airline Responds to Incident, Focuses on Passenger Safety

After the aircraft landed, the airline’s ground team quickly attended to the passengers, ensuring their safety and comfort. “The airport team attended to the customers after the arrival of the aircraft, prioritizing their wellbeing,” IndiGo stated. “The aircraft will be released post necessary inspection and maintenance.”

While the airline did not officially confirm the extent of the damage, a widely shared image on social media revealed that a part of the aircraft’s nose cone had been broken due to the impact of the hailstorm. The image, verified by aviation sources, confirms that the aircraft has been temporarily grounded for inspection.

Weather Conditions: Hailstorm Slams Delhi-NCR

The turbulence over North India wasn’t an isolated incident. The hailstorm that struck the flight also affected large parts of Delhi-NCR. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a sudden weather shift brought heavy rain, hail, and winds reaching speeds of up to 79 km/h.

Between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM on Wednesday, Delhi’s Safdarjung observatory recorded 12.2 mm of rainfall. The storm caused widespread disruption across the region, including tree falls, waterlogging, and significant traffic jams.

Meteorological Analysis: Cyclonic Circulation Behind the Storm

IMD officials attributed the storm to a cyclonic circulation over Haryana and adjoining regions. This system was embedded in an east-west trough extending from Punjab to Bangladesh, affecting the lower tropospheric levels.

Moisture from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal fueled the storm, creating intense weather activity.

The sudden shift came after Delhi experienced extreme heat earlier in the day. The heat index, which measures the “feels-like” temperature by combining temperature and humidity, peaked at a sweltering 50.2 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature reached 40.7°C, slightly above normal, while humidity ranged from 64% to 34%.

Eyewitness Accounts: ‘It Felt Like a Near-Death Experience’

Several passengers on board the flight described the ordeal as traumatic. One said, “It felt like a near-death experience. The plane shook violently, and there were sudden drops that made people scream. Children were crying nonstop, and some passengers even started reciting prayers.”

Another passenger, part of a delegation from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), later referred to the incident publicly. “We have never felt something so intense before. The moment the storm hit, everyone thought this might be the end,” said one of the TMC MPs on board.

Social Media Reactions and Viral Footage

Shortly after the flight landed, footage from inside the cabin began circulating on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram. The video garnered thousands of shares and comments within hours. Many praised the professionalism of the flight crew and the pilot for handling the situation calmly and successfully landing the plane despite the chaos.

Users also expressed sympathy for the passengers, especially those traveling with children. Some called for airlines to be more cautious about weather routes and to delay flights when forecasts predict severe turbulence or hail.

Aircraft Declared AOG: What’s Next?

Following the incident, the aircraft has been declared AOG—Aircraft on Ground—meaning it cannot operate until cleared by maintenance teams. The damage to the nose cone, though external, could impact sensitive avionics equipment housed at the front of the plane.

IndiGo has not announced a timeline for when the aircraft will return to service. A full inspection will be carried out, and any required parts will be replaced before it is cleared for future flights.

Conclusion: Safe Landing Amid Stormy Skies

Despite the terrifying experience, the flight ended safely thanks to the calm and professional actions of the IndiGo crew and the pilot. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather, especially during transitional seasons like spring and early summer in North India.

While no injuries were reported, the emotional trauma experienced by passengers was significant. Many called it one of the most frightening experiences of their lives. Still, the safe landing brought relief and gratitude—a testament to aviation safety protocols and the skill of those in the cockpit.