By D.W.G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
An Austrian Airlines flight from Spain to Vienna encountered severe weather conditions, leading to significant damage to the aircraft on Sunday afternoon. The plane, an Airbus A320, was forced to issue a mayday call and make an emergency landing after flying through an intense hailstorm that was undetected by the weather radar. The storm resulted in the cockpit windows being smashed and the nose cone being torn off.
Passengers described a harrowing experience, with one individual noting that pieces of the destroyed nose cone could be seen flying past the plane. Emmeley Oakley, a passenger on the flight, recounted to ABC News how the turbulence started approximately 20 minutes before landing, as the plane entered a cloud of hail and thunderstorm. She described feeling the impact of the hail and the subsequent rocking of the aircraft, which caused several passengers to scream. Oakley praised the cabin crew for their efforts in calming the distressed passengers.
Images shared online showed extensive damage to the aircraft’s exterior, including dense white cracks across the front windscreen and the nose cone almost entirely blown away. Despite the severity of the damage, Austrian Airlines confirmed that no passengers were injured.
Assessing the Damage and Response
Austrian Airlines has tasked a technical team with evaluating the specific damage to the aircraft. According to a spokesperson, the hail damaged the two front cockpit windows, the aircraft nose (radome), and some coverings. The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of severe weather and its impact on aviation safety.
This event follows another recent aviation incident where a 73 year old British man was killed during intense turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore. In response to that incident, the airline announced compensation measures, including $10,000 for those with minor injuries and an advance payment of $25,000 for passengers with more serious injuries to address their immediate needs and facilitate further discussions based on their specific circumstances.
These incidents underscore the importance of rigorous safety protocols and the unpredictable challenges faced by airlines in ensuring passenger safety during extreme weather conditions.