IndiGo Flight 6E2142 Hit by Storm, Pilot Executes Emergency Landing

Shrinagar: Sometimes the sky also tests us  and on Tuesday evening, that test involved an IndiGo flight, its pilot and 227 people on board. When IndiGo flight 6E2142, flying from Delhi to Srinagar, reached close to the valley, no one had any idea that a crisis was lurking behind the clouds.

Deep crisis in the sky

As soon as the plane entered the air of Srinagar, the weather changed its mood. Hailstones started falling from the sky and strong winds started shaking the plane. Fear was clearly visible on the faces of the passengers sitting inside. The plane was shaking, and the pilot informed Srinagar Air Traffic Control (ATC) about the emergency.

A decision of a few seconds, which saved lives

The pilot requested an emergency landing without delay. ATC immediately cleared the runway and every emergency system was activated. Meanwhile, every breath inside the plane seemed to have stopped, but the person sitting in the cockpit did not lose consciousness. A skillful decision and technical understanding did what was no less than a miracle-the flight was safely landed at Srinagar airport at 6:30 pm.

Plane declared 'AOG', investigation begins

Immediately after landing, the airline declared the plane as 'Aircraft On Ground (AOG)'. That is, until the technical experts decide that the plane is completely safe, it will not take off from the ground. An in-depth investigation of the plane's outer surface, engine and navigation system is going on.

A sigh of relief, the pilot became a hero

Srinagar Airport Director Javed Anjam told the media, "The weather conditions were very bad, but the quick response of our team and the pilot averted a major accident. All passengers and crew are safe."

Weather Department's warning

The weather department said that this situation was caused by a sudden drop in temperature in the valley in the afternoon and hailstorm in the upper areas. Similar unstable weather has been predicted for the next few days.

A test of human understanding

This incident was not just a technical glitch, it was a test of human understanding, courage and quick response of the system. While on one hand the passengers returned safely, it also reminded us that flying in the air is not as easy as it seems. And when a crisis comes, a sensible pilot, alert ATC and organized team become the real angels.