An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Srinagar encountered a dramatic mid-air emergency on May 21, 2025, when severe weather conditions near Pathankot forced the pilots to seek alternative routes for passenger safety. The Airbus A321neo, operating as flight 6E-2142 and carrying over 220 passengers—including several Members of Parliament—ran into a violent hailstorm and intense turbulence while cruising at 36,000 feet.
As the aircraft approached the turbulent weather system, the crew first requested permission from the Indian Air Force’s Northern Control to deviate towards the international border, which would have allowed them to briefly enter Pakistani airspace to avoid the storm. This request was denied, reportedly due to ongoing airspace restrictions and recent hostilities in the region.
Pakistan Denies Emergency Airspace Access:
With the initial request refused, the flight crew then contacted Lahore Air Traffic Control, seeking urgent permission to cross into Pakistani airspace to circumvent the dangerous weather. The Lahore ATC also denied this request, leaving the pilots with limited options as the storm rapidly closed in.
Aviation experts have noted that such denials are not uncommon, especially given the current closure of Pakistani airspace to Indian carriers and heightened sensitivities along the border. The pilots, facing a fast-approaching thunderstorm, considered returning to Delhi but found it unsafe due to their proximity to the storm cloud.
Turbulence, System Failures, and Emergency Response:
With no viable escape route, the pilots made the critical decision to continue on course towards Srinagar, choosing the shortest path through the storm. As the aircraft penetrated the thunderstorm, it was battered by hailstones and subjected to severe turbulence. The situation escalated quickly: the autopilot disengaged due to extreme updrafts and downdrafts, and the aircraft experienced multiple system warnings, including Angle of Attack faults, loss of alternate law protection, and unreliable speed indications.
At one point, the aircraft’s rate of descent reached a dramatic 8,500 feet per minute—far above the normal descent rate of 1,500 to 3,000 feet per minute. The pilots had to manually control the plane through the storm, following all emergency checklists. Dramatic scenes unfolded inside the cabin, with passengers—many visibly terrified—clinging to their seats as the plane shook violently.
Despite the chaos, the crew managed to regain control after exiting the worst of the weather. They declared a “PAN-PAN” emergency to Srinagar ATC, which provided radar vectors for a safe approach. The aircraft eventually landed safely in Srinagar, with no injuries reported among passengers or crew, though a post-flight inspection revealed significant damage to the aircraft’s nose radome from hail impact.
Investigation and Industry Reactions:
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a full investigation into the incident, focusing on the sequence of events, the crew’s decision-making, and the technical performance of the aircraft under extreme conditions. The DGCA’s preliminary statement commended the crew for their professionalism and adherence to emergency protocols, which ensured the safety of everyone on board despite the ordeal.
The incident has sparked discussion within the aviation industry about the challenges of operating in regions with restricted airspace and unpredictable weather. Experts have pointed out that while airspace denials are sometimes unavoidable due to geopolitical tensions, they can complicate in-flight responses to emergencies, especially when weather conditions deteriorate rapidly.
Passengers and industry observers alike have praised the IndiGo crew’s quick thinking and composure under pressure. The event also serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between aviation safety, international relations, and operational realities in South Asia’s crowded skies.
As the DGCA’s investigation continues, the focus remains on understanding how such incidents can be better managed in the future, ensuring that passenger safety is never compromised by external constraints.
