Passengers of IndiGo flight 6E2142 from New Delhi to Srinagar had to face a lot of trouble. The entire flight was disrupted due to hailstorm in North India. It is believed that the nose cone of the Airbus A320 carrying 227 passengers has been damaged. Due to which the pilot had to declare an emergency.
The cabin of the plane shook due to strong winds and hail. The pilot of flight 6E2142 said that he had never seen such a turbulent fall before. People were very scared and then people started screaming, they thought that everything was destroyed and now they would not be able to survive.
IndiGo Flight 6E2142
In the video going viral on social media, it was seen that people were holding on to their seats due to grief. Despite the critical situation, the flight crew worked professionally and with patience. The pilot landed the damaged aircraft safely at Srinagar airport and there were no injuries to the passengers or crew. IndiGo has said that the aircraft has been grounded for inspection and maintenance.
Bad weather in Delhi area
The incident coincides with extreme weather events in the Delhi NCR region, where dust storms and hailstorms have disrupted both air and road traffic. Weather authorities had issued alerts, but many airlines continued scheduled operations. The hail that struck Flight 6E2142 was a localised cell that developed rapidly, highlighting the challenges of flying in unpredictable pre-monsoon weather.
DGCA Investigation Underway
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has begun an investigation into the incident. A DGCA official said, “We are reviewing flight data and cockpit voice recordings to understand the sequence of events and assess any lapses in safety protocols.“
Experts believe the incident raises questions about route planning during extreme weather and the structural resilience of aircraft in hail-prone areas. “The radome or nose cone is designed to withstand weather, but hail falling at high speeds can severely impact its integrity,” said aviation analyst Priya Menon.
Passenger safety and airline response
IndiGo has been praised for the pilot’s calm attitude in handling the situation. In a public statement, the airline confirmed:
“Flight 6E2142 from Delhi to Srinagar encountered unexpected weather conditions. The flight landed safely, and all passengers disembarked safely. Safety is our top priority, and we are fully cooperating with the authorities.”
Ironically, the incident comes just a day before IndiGo announces its financial results, reporting a 62% rise in quarterly profits and revealing plans to launch India’s first low-cost, long-haul international service to Europe from July 2025. Routes from Mumbai to Manchester and Amsterdam are set to launch using the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
This turbulence event serves as a clear reminder of the unpredictable aspects of flying and the essential importance of having a skilled crew and effective safety protocols to guarantee the safety of passengers during emergencies.
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