IndiGo Delhi-Srinagar Flight Turbulence: Pakistan Refused Pilot’s Plea To Enter Its Airspace To Avoid Turbulent Weather

India's aviation regulation DGCA on Friday (23 May) said that the crew of an IndiGo flight from the Delhi to Srinagar had requested permission to enter Pakistani airspace on 21 May to escape turbulence, but the request was denied, NDTV reported.

In a statement about the incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that "there was no injury to any of the passenger on-board the flight" and that the aircraft's "nose radome" was damaged.

The incident of the aircraft encountering turbulence is being probed by the DGCA.

According to the statement, IndiGo's A321 Neo aircraft ran into strong turbulence and hailstorms on Wednesday near Pathankot.

"As per crew statement, they requested Northern control (IAF) for deviation towards left (International Border) due to weather on the route, however, it was not approved," the DGCA said.

"Later crew contacted Lahore to enter into their airspace to avoid the weather but the same was refused too," the DGCA added.

The regulator said that the crew first tried to head back, but as they were close to the thunder storm cloud, they decided to penetrate the weather.

"Subsequently, they encountered hailstorm and severe turbulence. Crew chose to continue at the same heading to exit the weather by the shortest route towards Srinagar," the statement said.

"Due to updraft and down draft encountered by the aircraft the Autopilot tripped and aircraft speed had wide variations. As a result, Maximum Operating Speed/Maximum operating Mach (VMO/MMO) warnings and repeated stall warnings were triggered. During this period the aircraft rate of descent reached 8500 fpm crew flew the aircraft manually till they exit the hailstorm," the aviation regulator said.

The DGCA said that after carrying out all check list actions (ECAM actions), crew declared PAN PAN to Srinagar ATC and requested for RADAR vectors and made a safe landing with Auto Thrust operating normally.

After the crew followed all emergency procedures listed on their aircraft’s system, they informed air traffic control in Srinagar about the issue.

They then asked for guidance from radar controllers to help them navigate safely and landed without any problems.

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