IndiGo Flight Faces Severe Turbulence; Denied Pakistan Airspace To Avoid Storm

The pilots of an IndiGo flight en route to Srinagar encountered a violent hailstorm and were refused permission by Lahore Air Traffic Control (ATC) to briefly enter Pakistani airspace for safety, an action described as a breach of humanitarian norms.

According to India’s civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft was cruising at about 36,000 feet near Pathankot, Punjab, when it entered a severe thunderstorm.

Facing intense turbulence, the crew initially requested clearance from the Indian Air Force’s Northern ATC to divert toward the International Border.

This request was denied due to concerns about risks from ongoing hostilities between India and Pakistan, particularly after recent operations like Operation Sindoor.

The pilot requested permission from Lahore ATC to cross into Pakistani airspace momentarily to escape the storm, but Lahore ATC rejected the request.

With limited alternatives, the pilot contemplated returning to Delhi but decided against it because of the proximity to the thunderstorm.

Instead, the flight continued on the shortest route through the storm toward Srinagar.

While flying through the thunderstorm, the plane experienced extreme updrafts and downdrafts, causing the autopilot to disengage and speed to fluctuate.

Several warnings, including angle of attack faults and unreliable airspeed indicators, triggered during this critical period.

At one point, the aircraft’s descent rate reached 8,500 feet per minute.

The crew manually controlled the plane until it exited the hailstorm.

The pilot declared an emergency to Srinagar ATC, which provided radar assistance.

The flight landed safely in Srinagar with no injuries reported among passengers or crew.

A post-flight inspection found damage to the aircraft’s nose.

The DGCA has initiated a full investigation into the incident.

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