Vienna [Austria], June 11: An Austrian Airlines A320 plane was badly damaged by a hailstorm while on approach to Vienna Airport in Austria on Sunday . Despite the damage to the aircraft's nose and windscreen the pilots landed the plane safely.
The airline said in a statement, "On today's flight OS434 from Palma de Mallorca to Vienna, an Airbus A320 aircraft was damaged by hail. The aircraft encountered a thunderstorm cell on approach to Vienna, which the cockpit crew said was not visible on the weather radar. According to current information, the two front cockpit windows of the aircraft, the nose of the aircraft (radome) and some panels were damaged by the hail."
Due to the damage, a Mayday was made, the statement continued. "The aircraft was able to land safely at Vienna-Schwechat Airport. All passengers on the flight were uninjured. The Austrian Airlines technical team has already been entrusted with the specific damage assessment of the aircraft in question. The safety of our passengers and our crews is Austrian Airlines' top priority."
Source: Times of Oman