IndiGo Flight 6E925 Lands Safely but Nose Found Dented After Possible Lightning or Hail Hit

An IndiGo flight from Patna to Lucknow touched down safely at Lucknow airport on Wednesday, but a dented nose section was spotted after landing. Flight 6E925 carried 104 passengers and six crew members and landed at about 4.05 pm. The pilot had reported a strong jolt at roughly 17,000 feet during descent, prompting a check for possible damage. Airport officials said the aircraft landed normally and no injuries were reported. Preliminary assessment points to a possible lightning strike amid adverse weather, though experts note that aircraft skins usually channel lightning safely and that hail, ice chunks or a bird strike are also plausible causes. The dented radome was confirmed by the airport team after the aircraft stopped, and the airline declared the plane Aircraft on Ground for a thorough technical inspection. The aircraft was slated to continue to Ahmedabad, but the flight was cancelled; passengers were offered re‑booking on another service or a full refund. The pilot’s report is under review by the DGCA, and further details will emerge once the airline’s engineering team completes its investigation.

Context

Aircraft noses, called radomes, are vulnerable to impact from large hail or ice in thunderstorms. While lightning often passes over the aircraft skin without damage, a direct strike can still leave visible marks if it coincides with other debris.