A Vistara Airlines Airbus A320neo was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff on Wednesday, May 1st, 2024.
The A320neo with registration VT-TQH was operating flight UK788 from Bhubaneswar (VEBS) to Delhi (DEL). However, during the climb-out from runway 14 at Bhubaneswar Airport, the aircraft encountered a severe hailstorm.
Following the incident, the crew safely returned the aircraft to the airport. The A320neo sustained significant damage to the windshield and other forward-facing surfaces of the plane.
No injuries were reported among the estimated 170-180 passengers and crew onboard flight UK788.
Deccan Chronicle reported that the hailstorm caused a crack to develop in the windshield, along with some damage to other parts of the aircraft’s structure. The flight departed Bhubaneswar around 1:45 pm and requested a priority landing just 10 minutes later.
Bhubaneswar Airport Director Prasanna Pradhan confirmed the incident and stated that all passengers were safe. Vistara Airlines arranged for an alternate flight to transport the passengers to Delhi.
The damaged aircraft will undergo repairs before returning to service.