An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Srinagar encountered extreme turbulence and a hailstorm, prompting the crew to request entry into Pakistani airspace to avoid the storm. Both the Indian Air Force and Lahore Air Traffic Control denied the request, forcing the pilots to navigate through the hazardous weather conditions.
The aircraft suffered external damage, including a battered nose cone, and experienced a rapid descent of 8,500 feet per minute. The crew declared a ‘PAN PAN’ urgency call before safely landing in Srinagar. No injuries were reported, but the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the incident.
