Austrian Airlines plane's nose, cockpit windows damaged during flight by severe hailstorm

Austrian Airlines plane's nose and cockpit windows damaged mid-flight by severe hailstorm, raising safety concerns

Austrian Airlines Flight OS434 Damaged by Hail During Thunderstorm

 

Vienna, Austria — An Austrian Airlines flight from Palma de Mallorca, Spain, to Vienna encountered severe hail during its approach, causing significant damage to the aircraft's nose and cockpit windows. The incident occurred on Sunday when Flight OS434 flew into an unexpected thunderstorm cell.

 

The cockpit crew reported that the thunderstorm cell was not visible on their weather radar. As the flight approached Vienna, it was hit by hail, leading to a mayday distress call. Despite the damage, the Airbus A320 managed to land safely at Vienna International Airport without any injuries to the passengers or crew.

 

Photos circulated on social media showed extensive damage to the aircraft's front, including:

- Severe damage to the two front cockpit windows.

- Significant damage to the aircraft nose.

- Stripped coverings on the aircraft's nose.

 

Austrian Airlines confirmed the damage and stated that their technical team is already assessing the specific extent of the damage to the aircraft.

 

Austrian Airlines emphasized that the safety of their passengers and crew remains their top priority. They noted that:

- The plane landed safely despite the damage.

- All passengers were unharmed.

- An immediate assessment of the aircraft's damage is underway.

 

The airline's quick response and the crew's management of the emergency have been commended, ensuring that the incident, despite its severity, did not result in any casualties.

 

This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of weather-related aviation hazards and the importance of robust safety protocols and quick-thinking crew members. It also underscores the potential limitations of weather radar systems in detecting all weather anomalies, prompting a review of such systems and procedures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

When you send off four besties and they end up being „attacked“ by hail, lose half of the cockpit nose and have their front windows shattered prior to arrival. #OS434 Palma to Vienna. Very pleased you all touched ground - alive. Thanks #austrian #aua #airlines pic.twitter.com/BfxVRz5o5o

— CRN News (@CRNBreaking) June 11, 2024