IndiGo Aircraft Hit By Lightning En Route To Lucknow; DGCA Launches Probe

An IndiGo aircraft flying from Patna to Lucknow was struck by lightning amid severe weather conditions, damaging its nose before it landed safely at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow.

The flight, 6E 625, was carrying 104 passengers and six crew members when it encountered adverse weather during its journey on October 7.

The aircraft was flying at an altitude of around 17,000 feet when it was struck by lightning.

Despite the incident, the aircraft landed safely in Lucknow, eight minutes ahead of its scheduled arrival time. All passengers and crew members disembarked safely.

According to an IndiGo spokesperson, the aircraft encountered unfavourable weather, including a hailstorm during the landing phase, which damaged its radome, the protective structure covering the aircraft’s nose.

“The aircraft landed safely, and all customers disembarked at their destination,” the airline said.

The relevant authorities were informed immediately following the incident. The aircraft has since been grounded and will remain out of service until the required inspections and maintenance are completed.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a probe into the incident. The aircraft will be allowed to resume operations only after completing the necessary checks and receiving regulatory clearance.

The incident comes weeks after another IndiGo aircraft was grounded following a tail strike during landing at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.

The Guwahati-Bengaluru flight experienced what the airline described as an ‘abnormal runway contact’ while landing amid gusty weather conditions. The A321neo aircraft was grounded after the incident as the airline and authorities assessed the damage and conducted safety checks.

The latest incident has again brought attention to weather-related aviation risks and the importance of aircraft inspections following unusual occurrences.

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