Lightning Strike Damages Patna-Lucknow IndiGo Flight’s Nose; 104 Passengers, 6 Crew Escape Unhurt
An IndiGo flight travelling from Patna to Lucknow was struck by lightning while flying through adverse weather on Wednesday, damaging the aircraft’s nose section. All 104 passengers and six crew members on board were safe.
Flight 6E925 was operating the scheduled Patna-Lucknow service when the aircraft encountered severe weather at an altitude of around 17,000 feet. Initial reports identified lightning as the likely cause of the damage, although officials are also examining whether hail or another object could have contributed.
The aircraft, an Airbus A320-251N, continued its approach towards Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow and landed safely at around 4:04 pm.
The flight arrived approximately eight minutes ahead of its scheduled arrival time. The pilots had reported the lightning strike to air traffic control as a precaution, but were reportedly unaware of the full extent of the damage while the aircraft was in the air.
The damage became apparent after the aircraft had vacated the runway and reached its parking bay. An inspection found significant damage to the nose radome, the protective structure that covers the aircraft’s weather radar.
Despite the visible damage, there were no injuries among passengers or crew. All 110 people on board were able to disembark safely after the aircraft reached the terminal.
The aircraft was subsequently grounded at Lucknow airport for a detailed technical inspection. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation was informed about the incident, and the plane will require the necessary regulatory clearance before returning to service.
IndiGo said the aircraft encountered unfavourable weather, including a hailstorm, while landing and that the radome was damaged. The airline said the aircraft landed safely and that all passengers reached their destination.
The incident also affected the aircraft’s next scheduled service. The same plane was due to operate a Lucknow-Ahmedabad flight, but IndiGo arranged another aircraft for the onward journey. The replacement flight departed later in the evening.
Aviation officials are now examining the aircraft to determine the precise cause and extent of the damage. The investigation will also establish whether the damage resulted solely from lightning, hail or a combination of severe weather conditions.
Lightning strikes on commercial aircraft can appear dramatic, but modern passenger aircraft are designed with systems that allow electrical charges to pass safely through the aircraft structure. Nevertheless, any suspected lightning strike requires a detailed inspection before the aircraft can return to service.
The Lucknow incident therefore ended without casualties, but the damage to the aircraft’s forward section highlights the risks commercial flights can encounter when operating through powerful thunderstorms and other severe weather.
For the 104 passengers and six crew members aboard Flight 6E925, the most important outcome was that the aircraft remained controllable and completed a safe landing despite the mid-air weather event.
