IndiGo Flight Hit by Lightning at 17,000 Feet, Nose Damaged on Patna-Lucknow Route; DGCA Probes

An IndiGo aircraft operating from Patna to Lucknow was found with damage to its nose section after landing at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow on Wednesday. All 104 passengers and six crew members on board were safe. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered an investigation, while a possible lightning strike amid adverse weather conditions is being examined.

The aircraft, operating as IndiGo flight 6E925, landed in Lucknow at around 4:05 pm on October 7. According to airport officials, the aircraft landed normally and there was no emergency landing. The damage to the front section was noticed after the aircraft had reached its designated parking bay. IndiGo Flight 6E 6542 Suffers Tail Strike During Landing at Bengaluru Airport; DGCA to Probe.

IndiGo Aircraft Nose Damaged During Patna-Lucknow Flight

Preliminary information indicates that the aircraft encountered adverse weather conditions during its descent towards Lucknow. Reports have said the aircraft was at an altitude of around 17,000 feet when a strong jolt was experienced and a possible lightning strike was reported.

However, the exact cause of the damage has not yet been conclusively established. Aviation experts have also pointed to the possibility of hail or ice striking the aircraft's nose during the flight. The aircraft's radome, the protective structure covering the weather radar at the front, was found damaged after landing.

The pilots had reportedly informed Air Traffic Control about the incident as a precaution. The extent of the damage was not immediately known while the aircraft was in flight.

Aircraft Grounded for Technical Inspection

Following the discovery of the damage, the aircraft was declared Aircraft on Ground (AOG) and grounded for a detailed technical inspection. IndiGo said the aircraft would undergo necessary maintenance and would return to service only after obtaining the required clearances. IndiGo Vacates More Than 700 Domestic Airport Slots Following DGCA's 10% Winter Flight Reduction.

The aircraft was scheduled to operate another flight from Lucknow to Ahmedabad. IndiGo arranged an alternative aircraft for the passengers on the onward journey after the damaged plane was taken out of service.

DGCA Probe Into Aircraft Damage

The DGCA has initiated a probe into the incident. Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft's technical condition, weather conditions at the time and the circumstances surrounding the damage to determine what caused it. Commercial aircraft are designed to withstand lightning strikes, but any suspected lightning encounter requires a detailed inspection before the aircraft can resume operations.

No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew, and the aircraft's safe landing allowed all 110 people on board to disembark safely. The final findings of the technical inspection and DGCA investigation will establish the exact cause of the damage.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 08, 2026 08:37 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).