In a terrifying incident that left passengers shaken, IndiGo flight 6E2142 from Delhi to Srinagar encountered severe turbulence due to a sudden hailstorm on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. The Airbus A321, carrying 227 passengers, including a delegation of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs, faced violent shaking mid-air, prompting the pilot to declare an emergency to Srinagar’s Air Traffic Control (ATC). The aircraft, which sustained significant damage to its nose cone, landed safely at Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport at 6:30 PM, but the ordeal was described as a “near-death experience” by TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose.
The flight took off from Delhi amid challenging weather conditions in the national capital, where a cyclonic circulation and trough from Punjab to Bangladesh triggered heavy rain and hailstorms. As the plane approached Srinagar, it was battered by hailstones, causing the fuselage to shudder violently. Videos circulating on social media captured the chaos inside the cabin, with passengers screaming, praying, and bracing themselves against seats. Lightning flashes illuminated the aircraft’s windows, amplifying the panic. One passenger, Sheikh Samiullah, recounted, “I thought my life was over. The nose of the plane was damaged, and we were not allowed to see much as air force police were present.
Among the passengers were TMC leaders Derek O’Brien, Nadimul Haque, Manas Bhunia, Mamata Thakur, and Sagarika Ghose, who were traveling to Jammu and Kashmir for a political outreach program. Ghose, a former journalist, described the turbulence as “a near-death experience,” praising the pilot’s skill in navigating the storm. “People were screaming, praying, and panicking. I’m truly grateful to the captain for landing us safely,” she told PTI. Another passenger, a Kashmir-based startup co-founder, said, “I feel like I’ve been reborn,” highlighting the intensity of the ordeal.
IndiGo issued a statement confirming that flight 6E2142 encountered a sudden hailstorm en route. “The flight and cabin crew followed established protocol, and the aircraft landed safely in Srinagar. The airport team prioritized passenger well-being and comfort post-arrival,” the airline said. The aircraft, registered as VT-IMD, was declared ‘Aircraft on Ground’ (AOG), meaning it is grounded for inspection and repairs due to damage to the radome, likely caused by hail impact. Aviation expert Amarnath Kumar noted “a large hole and extensive cracking” in the nose, suggesting severe structural stress.
The incident underscores the risks of flying in adverse weather, particularly in regions like Srinagar, where sudden storms can pose significant challenges. The Airport Authority of India reported that the pilot’s emergency declaration was critical in ensuring a safe landing. “IndiGo flight 6E2142 experienced bad weather, and the emergency was reported to ATC SXR,” an official said. Despite the damage, no injuries were reported, and all passengers and crew were safely evacuated.
This event has sparked discussions online, with X users praising the crew’s composure. One user wrote, “We had a narrow escape. Kudos to the pilots and cabin crew.” Others shared videos of the turbulence, amplifying the incident’s visibility. The event also disrupted Delhi’s IGI Airport, with 10 flights diverted and over 50 delayed due to the storm.
