The Austrian Airlines passenger liner was damaged by hail
The passenger liner of the Austrian airline Austrian Airlines was hit by hail and suffered significant damage during the flight. The incident occurred on a flight from Palma de Mallorca to Vienna, the capital of Austria.
The aircraft was unexpectedly hit by hail and a thunderstorm, which the crew could not detect on radar. As a result of the natural phenomenon, the windows of the cockpit were damaged, as well as the covering of the nose of the aircraft was torn off.
The passengers of the flight noted that there was severe turbulence during the flight, and "phones and cups were flying around the cabin of the aircraft." Emmelie Oakley, one of the passengers, told: "Of course, we all felt the hail pounding on the plane. It was pretty loud for a minute and we were shaking a lot from side to side. We were very scared."
According to preliminary data, the ship's crew promptly sent a distress signal and received permission from the dispatcher to land the aircraft, despite the damage received. The passengers of the flight were not injured.
Airline reaction
Representatives of Austrian Airlines have already launched an internal investigation into the incident. The company assured that the safety of passengers and crew is always their priority, and they will carefully analyze all the circumstances of the incident in order to prevent similar cases in the future.
The incident with the Austrian Airlines airliner highlights the importance of accurate weather forecasting for aviation. Thunderstorms and hail can be difficult to predict, and airlines are constantly working to improve their monitoring systems to ensure flight safety.
Safety at height
Despite the serious damage to the aircraft, the coordinated actions of the crew and the prompt response of the dispatchers made it possible to avoid casualties and injuries among passengers. This case once again highlights the importance of the professionalism of pilots and ground services in ensuring the safety of air travel.