Social media videos show the intense moments of turbulence, with frightened passengers audible in the background, reciting religious supplications as the plane shakes.
An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Srinagar carrying over 220 passengers encountered turbulence on Wednesday due to adverse weather conditions, prompting the pilot to declare an emergency with Srinagar air traffic control. The plane landed safely in Srinagar and has been grounded for further assessment.
Social media videos show the intense moments of turbulence, with frightened passengers audible in the background, reciting religious supplications as the plane shakes.
According to PTI, one passenger claimed that the nose of the plane was damaged, but there was no official word on it.
An official of the Airport Authority of India said, "IndiGo flight 6E2142 en route Delhi to Srinagar experienced bad weather (hail storm), emergency reported by Pilot to ATC SXR (Srinagar)."
He said the flight landed safely at Srinagar at 6.30 pm.
"All aircrew and 227 passengers are safe and the flight is declared AOG by the airline."
Aircraft on ground (AOG) refers to a plane that is grounded and unable to fly due to technical issues.
In a statement, IndiGo said its flight from the national capital to Srinagar encountered a sudden hailstorm and the plane landed safely at the Srinagar airport.
"IndiGo flight 6E 2142 operating from Delhi to Srinagar encountered sudden hailstorm enroute. The flight and cabin crew followed established protocol, and the aircraft landed safely in Srinagar," the airline said.
According to IndiGo, the airport team attended to the customers after arrival of the aircraft, prioritising their well-being and comfort.
"The aircraft will be released post-necessary inspection and maintenance," it added.
One of the eyewitnesses recounts the moment and said, "I was in the plane and heading back home from Srinagar...It was a near-death experience... the nose of the plane is damaged."
"The Nose and Right side of the plane was damaged... And we were not allowed to see much as airforce police was there," Hakeem said in a post on X handle.