IndiGo Flight From Patna Carrying 104 Passengers Struck By Lightning En Route
An IndiGo flight carrying 104 passengers from Patna was struck by lightning at 17,000 feet, causing nose damage before landing safely.
News Desk · October 8, 2026 · 1 min read
An IndiGo aircraft operating a domestic service from Patna with 104 passengers on board was struck by lightning mid-air at an altitude of approximately 17,000 feet. The mid-flight incident resulted in visible structural damage to the aircraft's nose section before the flight completed a safe landing.
The episode highlights ongoing concerns regarding severe weather operations across Indian airspace, drawing immediate attention from civil aviation regulators monitoring carrier safety protocols during seasonal atmospheric disturbances.
Flight 6E 925 took off from Patna and encountered severe meteorological conditions during its approach towards northern airspace. While cruising at mid-altitude, the Airbus A320-251N registered as VT-IQZ was hit by lightning alongside localized hail activity. The strike compromised the radome, which serves as the protective housing for the plane's onboard weather radar system.
Airlines officials confirmed that a total of 110 people, comprising 104 passengers and six crew members, were aboard the aircraft when the strike occurred. Despite the sudden atmospheric jolt, the flight deck crew maintained control and contacted Air Traffic Control as a precautionary measure.
The aircraft touched down safely at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, landing roughly eight minutes ahead of its scheduled arrival time. Airport ground personnel verified that all occupants disembarked without injury.
The extent of the structural impact became apparent only after the plane taxied to its designated parking bay and engineers conducted post-flight inspections. Ground teams identified localized denting and surface damage to the nose cone assembly.
Consequently, the airline declared the jet Aircraft on Ground, removing it from active scheduling. Passengers booked for the subsequent sector to Ahmedabad were transferred to an alternative aircraft arranged by the carrier, departing later that evening.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has initiated a formal inquiry into the incident in accordance with standard regulatory procedures. The aircraft will remain grounded pending comprehensive technical assessments by engineering teams and must secure mandatory clearance from aviation regulators before returning to commercial service.
