You only have to look at the state of the plane when it landed – with its nibbled nose and its “windshield” studded with impacts – to suspect that the passengers on the flight Austrian Airlines on Sunday between Palma de Mallorca (Spain) and Vienna (Austria) probably experienced the longest two minutes of their lives.
Austrian Airlines A320 severely damaged by a hailstorm while on approach to Vienna Airport in Austria. Despite the damage to the aircraft’s nose and windscreen the pilots landed safely. pic.twitter.com/AIa7aL9HEQ
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) June 9, 2024
According to ABC News, the flight crossed “a storm cell”, which according to a company press release, was not visible on radar to the crew. The incident occurred around twenty minutes from landing. “We could really feel the hail falling on the plane and it was quite strong and often very rocky for a minute,” a passenger told the American channel.
The on-board witness describes cups and phones flying through the cabin during this turbulence but a crew who was able to reassure the passengers.
None of the travelers were injured during this tumultuous episode. The A320, on the other hand, will have to spend a long time in the “infirmary”.