An IndiGo flight operating from Patna to Lucknow encountered severe weather during its journey on Wednesday, with the aircraft’s nose section sustaining damage before it landed safely at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport.

Flight 6E925 was carrying 104 passengers and six crew members. All passengers and crew members were reported safe, with no injuries following the incident.

The aircraft was approaching Lucknow when it encountered adverse weather conditions at an altitude of approximately 17,000 feet. Initial reports indicated a possible lightning strike, while IndiGo later said the aircraft encountered unfavourable weather, including hail, during the landing phase.

The aircraft completed its landing safely at Lucknow. Airport officials said the aircraft landed normally and that the damage was noticed only after it had reached its parking position.

The damaged area was identified as the aircraft’s nose radome, the protective structure at the front of the aircraft that houses the weather radar. Engineers have begun a detailed technical inspection to determine the precise cause and extent of the damage.

There was initially uncertainty over whether lightning was responsible. Aviation officials and experts have also considered other possibilities associated with severe weather, including hail or ice impact. The exact cause will be established after the technical investigation.

Following the inspection, the aircraft was declared Aircraft on Ground (AOG) and taken out of service. It will remain grounded until the required maintenance and regulatory checks are completed.

The aircraft had been scheduled to operate another service from Lucknow to Ahmedabad. IndiGo arranged an alternative aircraft for passengers on the onward journey after the damaged aircraft was removed from service.

The incident has also been reported to India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The aircraft will require the necessary clearance before returning to commercial operations.

Aircraft are designed with systems intended to manage lightning strikes, and such incidents do not necessarily result in a loss of control or an emergency. However, any suspected lightning or severe-weather encounter requires careful inspection because external components can suffer damage.

The incident highlights the challenges faced by commercial aviation when aircraft operate near thunderstorms and other severe weather systems. Hail can be particularly difficult to detect and can damage exposed aircraft components when encountered at high speed.

Despite the damage, the safe landing of the IndiGo aircraft ensured that all people on board reached Lucknow without injury.

The aircraft will remain grounded while engineers complete their assessment. Further details about the cause and extent of the damage are expected after the inspection and investigation are completed.