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IndiGo flight 6E2142 from Delhi to Srinagar experienced terrifying turbulence on Wednesday night. The plane was violently shaken by a sudden hailstorm. The incident damaged the aircraft’s nose and caused panic among the passengers. But the expert pilot made a safe landing. This is what transpired during that terrifying trip.
A Stormy Encounter Mid-Air
A delegation from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) was among the 227 passengers on the IndiGo flight. A sudden hailstorm hit as it got closer to Srinagar. Hailstones battered the plane, causing it to shake uncontrollably. Passengers saw lightning flashes through the windows. The cabin turned chaotic, with overhead bins rattling loudly.
Sagarika Ghose, a TMC Rajya Sabha MP, described it as a “near-death experience.” She thought her life was over. People screamed, prayed, and clutched their seats in fear. Videos shared on social media captured the distress. Children cried as the plane swayed dangerously.
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The Pilot’s Heroic Response
Despite the chaos, the pilot stayed calm. He reported an emergency to Srinagar’s Air Traffic Control (ATC). To escape the storm, he lowered the plane’s altitude skillfully. Some passengers feared the plane was plummeting. However, this move brought them below the turbulent weather.
Although one report stated 8:30 PM, the flight safely touched down at Srinagar Airport at 6:30 PM. After landing, passengers saw the aircraft’s nose was damaged. Ghose praised the pilot, saying, “Hats off to him.” The TMC delegation thanked him for saving their lives.
Passengers and Crew Safe
Thankfully, all 227 passengers and crew escaped unharmed. The airport team quickly assisted everyone, ensuring their comfort. In a statement, IndiGo verified the safe landing. They explained the crew followed protocol during the hailstorm. For repairs, the plane was placed on “Aircraft on Ground” (AOG). The airline promised to release it after inspection.
A passenger shared on X, “We had a narrow escape.” They thanked the captain and crew for their bravery. Social media buzzed with videos showing the terrifying moments.
TMC Delegation Onboard
The IndiGo flight carried a five-member TMC delegation. Manas Bhunia, Mamata Thakur, Sagarika Ghose, Nadimul Haque, and Derek O’Brien were among the group members. They were going to Rajouri, Poonch, and Srinagar under the leadership of West Bengal minister Manas Bhunia. Their mission was to support people affected by cross-border attacks.
Ghose called the experience “apocalyptic.” She feared the damaged nose could have affected the cockpit. Fortunately, the pilot’s skill prevented disaster. The delegation continued their trip, staying in Jammu and Kashmir until May 23.
Delhi’s Wild Weather
The turbulence wasn’t the only weather chaos that day. On Wednesday night, Delhi-NCR was struck by a huge hailstorm. Strong winds, reaching 79 kmph, caused tree felling and waterlogging. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported 12.2 mm of rainfall between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM. A cyclonic circulation over Haryana fueled the stormy weather.
Delhi’s heatwave, with temperatures at 40.7°C, had made the day sweltering. The sudden storm brought relief but disrupted life. At least one person died, and electricity poles fell. In Noida, windows shattered, and hoardings were damaged.
Flight Disruptions Across Delhi
The storm also hit Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport hard. At least 13 flights were diverted—12 to Jaipur, one to Mumbai. IndiGo warned that heavy rain affected schedules in Delhi, Chandigarh, and Kolkata. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) issued a weather advisory. Delays were also experienced by Yellow Line metro services.
The return flight, 6E2268 from Srinagar to Delhi, was delayed. Scheduled for 7:05 PM, it hadn’t departed by 9:24 PM, per Flightradar24.
Reactions and Relief
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi shared her relief on X. She saw the scary turbulence videos and learned the TMC delegation was onboard. “Glad everyone is fine,” she wrote. Chaturvedi praised the captain for staying calm. She suggested honoring him for safeguarding everyone.
The incident left a lasting impact. Passengers, shaken but safe, shared their gratitude. The pilot’s quick thinking transformed a terrifying experience into a survival tale.