IndiGo Flight Hit By Lightning At 17,000 Feet, Lands Safely In Lucknow With Nose Damage

An IndiGo flight from Patna to Lucknow had a mid-air scare on Wednesday after the aircraft encountered severe weather while approaching Lucknow, with the plane’s nose sustaining damage. Despite the incident, the aircraft landed safely, and all 104 passengers and six crew members on board escaped unharmed.

Lightning Strikes IndiGo Flight Mid-Air

According to NDTV, IndiGo flight 6E925 was flying from Patna to Lucknow when it encountered unfavourable weather at an altitude of around 17,000 feet. Initial reports suggested the aircraft was struck by lightning, but the airline later said it encountered a hailstorm during landing, which damaged the aircraft’s radome—the protective covering over its weather radar.

The pilots informed Air Traffic Control about the incident as a precaution. However, they were reportedly unaware of the extent of the damage while the aircraft was still in the air. The plane continued its approach and landed safely at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow at around 4:05 PM, about eight minutes ahead of its scheduled arrival.

The extent of the damage became clear only after the aircraft had vacated the runway and reached its parking bay. Pictures of the aircraft showed visible damage to its nose.

Also Read: IndiGo Adds New Fuel Surcharge Of Up To ₹10,000 From October 6; Here’s What Flyers Should Know

Aircraft To Undergo Maintenance

Following the incident, the aircraft was grounded at Lucknow airport for a detailed technical inspection. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was also informed, and the aircraft will only return to service after the required checks, repairs and regulatory clearances.

IndiGo said in a statement that the aircraft would undergo necessary maintenance before resuming operations. The airline also clarified that all passengers safely disembarked at Lucknow airport.

While a lightning strike may sound alarming, commercial aircraft are designed to withstand such incidents, with the electrical charge generally travelling along the aircraft’s outer structure rather than passing through the cabin. However, any suspected lightning strike or severe weather encounter requires a thorough inspection before the aircraft can fly again.

This is not the first time an IndiGo aircraft has been involved in a lightning-related incident. In August 2022, two IndiGo engineers were struck by lightning while carrying out routine checks on an aircraft that had landed at Nagpur airport amid heavy rain and thunderstorms. The engineers, who were rushed to a nearby hospital, were later reported to be stable.

Also Read: Air India Named Best Airline In India At Skytrax Awards 2026; IndiGo Ranks…

The incident comes as another reminder of the risks aircraft can face while flying through thunderstorms, particularly when hail, lightning and other severe weather conditions are involved.

Cover Image Courtesy: X/@TheMilObserverr

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