Lightning Strike Damages IndiGo Flight’s Nose At 17,000 Feet, Patna-Lucknow Plane Lands Safely

An IndiGo flight from Patna to Lucknow was struck by lightning at an altitude of 17,000 feet on Wednesday, damaging the aircraft’s nose before it landed safely in Lucknow.

The aircraft, operating as IndiGo flight 6E 625, was carrying 104 passengers and six crew members when it encountered unfavourable weather during its journey. Despite the incident, the flight landed safely at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow, eight minutes ahead of its scheduled arrival as per reports.

All passengers and crew members were safe and disembarked from the aircraft after landing.

The aircraft has since been grounded following the incident and will not return to commercial operations until it undergoes the required maintenance and receives regulatory clearance.

Lightning Strike Damages Aircraft’s Radome

According to IndiGo, the aircraft encountered unfavourable weather, including a hailstorm while landing, which caused damage to its radome, the protective structure covering the aircraft’s nose-mounted equipment.

"IndiGo flight 6E 625 operating from Patna to Lucknow on 07 October 2026 encountered unfavourable weather, including a hailstorm while landing, resulting in damage to the radome," an IndiGo spokesperson reportedly said.

The aircraft will now undergo the necessary maintenance work. IndiGo said it will resume operations only after obtaining the relevant clearances.

DGCA Launches Probe

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India's aviation regulator, has launched a probe into the incident.

The aircraft was reportedly struck by lightning while flying at 17,000 feet. Following the damage, it was grounded as authorities and the airline assess the aircraft and carry out the required checks.

The aircraft will be allowed to operate only after it receives regulatory clearance.

104 Passengers, Six Crew On Board

There were 110 people on board the flight, including 104 passengers and six crew members.

Despite the weather conditions and damage to the aircraft's nose, the flight completed its journey to Lucknow safely. The aircraft landed eight minutes ahead of schedule, and passengers were able to disembark at the airport. IndiGo reportedly said all customers and crew were safe.

Earlier IndiGo Aircraft Grounded After Bengaluru Incident

The latest incident comes weeks after another IndiGo aircraft operating from Guwahati to Bengaluru was grounded following an abnormal runway contact at Kempegowda International Airport.

The A321neo aircraft, operating flight 6E 6542, experienced the incident while landing during gusty weather at the Bengaluru airport.

IndiGo had confirmed the incident and described it as an "Abnormal Runway Contact".

"An IndiGo aircraft operating flight 6E 6542 from Guwahati to Bengaluru experienced an 'Abnormal Runway Contact' while landing during gusty weather at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru," the airline had reportedly said in a statement.

The aircraft was grounded following the incident. IndiGo attributed the occurrence to bad weather.