10-6-2024 (VIENNA) A harrowing incident unfolded in the skies over Vienna as an Austrian Airlines flight from Palma de Mallorca landed safely despite sustaining severe damage from a ferocious hailstorm. The dramatic event has left the aviation community in awe of the resilience of modern aircraft and the skill of the flight crew.
Flight OS434, a 23-year-old Airbus A320, encountered the treacherous storm shortly after departing Palma de Mallorca at 3:55 pm on June 9, as reported by AirLive, a renowned aviation emergency tracking platform. The force of the hailstones ripped away a significant portion of the plane’s nose cone, the aerodynamic shell protecting the front of the aircraft, leaving the jet’s substructure exposed.
Shocking images circulating online reveal the extent of the damage, with the remaining skin of the aircraft pockmarked by dents from the relentless pounding of the hailstones. Even the two windows directly in front of the pilots were heavily cracked, though miraculously remained intact.
Despite the harrowing ordeal, the flight crew displayed remarkable professionalism and skill, managing to bring the battered aircraft safely to the ground in Vienna. This incident serves as a testament to the robust engineering and design of modern commercial aircraft, which are built to withstand severe weather conditions, including hail, lightning strikes, and turbulence.
The impact of extreme weather on air travel has come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks, following two separate incidents involving long-distance flights where passengers were violently thrown around the cabin due to unexpected turbulence. In one of these episodes, aboard a Singapore Airlines aircraft, a passenger tragically lost their life, while many others sustained serious injuries.
