IndiGo Flight Struck by Lightning at Kolkata Airport with Passengers Onboard
An IndiGo flight, with over 140 passengers and crew onboard, was struck by lightning at Kolkata airport on June 19, 2026, while preparing for departure to Agartala. No passengers were injured, but two ground staff received medical attention for temporary shock. The aircraft was grounded, and an alternate flight was arranged.
Key Highlights
- IndiGo flight 6E 6068 struck by lightning at Kolkata airport.
- Over 140 passengers and crew were onboard; no passenger injuries reported.
- Two ground staff sustained minor injuries/shock, later declared stable.
- Incident occurred on June 19, 2026, amid severe thunderstorms.
- Aircraft grounded for inspection; passengers accommodated on another flight.
- Boarding was complete, and aircraft was preparing for pushback when struck.
An IndiGo flight (6E 6068) bound for Agartala from Kolkata, carrying over 140 passengers and crew, experienced a lightning strike while it was stationary at Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport on the morning of June 19, 2026. The incident occurred at aerobridge 56L amid severe thunderstorm and heavy rainfall conditions, for which the Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC) had previously issued weather alerts.
At the time of the strike, boarding procedures for the Airbus A320neo aircraft (with registration VT-IPW, as specified by some sources) had been completed, and passengers were already seated inside, or the plane was readying for pushback. Fortunately, all 141 passengers and six crew members on board remained safe and reported no injuries. However, the impact of the lightning strike affected two to three ground staff members who were in the apron area. These staff members reportedly experienced temporary hearing loss, shock, and acute distress, requiring immediate medical attention. They were subsequently taken to a hospital for evaluation and were later declared stable and discharged after treatment.
The lightning strike caused a temporary power outage within the aircraft, adding to the anxiety of those onboard. As a precautionary and mandatory safety measure, the affected aircraft was immediately grounded for extensive technical inspections by the aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Following the incident, all passengers were deboarded and safely returned to the terminal. IndiGo then arranged an alternative aircraft (VT-ICD) to accommodate the passengers for their onward journey to Agartala. The original flight, scheduled for 9:20 AM, eventually departed with passengers on the replacement aircraft around 12:50 PM, resulting in a delay of approximately three hours.
Weather conditions in Kolkata that Friday morning were challenging, with thunderstorms and heavy rainfall leading to waterlogging in various areas and causing traffic disruptions across the city. IndiGo had issued a travel advisory earlier in the day, warning passengers about potential flight schedule impacts due to adverse weather and advising them to check their flight status. Despite the alarming nature of the incident, modern aircraft are designed to withstand lightning strikes, with the electrical current typically traveling harmlessly along the metallic exterior and dissipating. The prompt and effective response by airport authorities and airline staff ensured the safety of all passengers and minimized further inconvenience. This event was widely reported by credible Indian news outlets including Hindustan Times, The Economic Times, The Times of India, WION, NDTV Profit, and Rediff.com, among others, with consistent factual details regarding the incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the IndiGo flight at Kolkata airport?
An IndiGo flight (6E 6068) with over 140 passengers and crew, bound for Agartala, was struck by lightning while it was parked at Kolkata airport on June 19, 2026, preparing for departure.
Were there any injuries reported from the lightning strike?
No passengers sustained any injuries. However, two or three ground staff members in the apron area were affected by temporary shock or hearing loss and received medical treatment, later being declared stable.
What measures were taken after the incident?
The affected aircraft was grounded for mandatory technical inspections. All passengers were deboarded and subsequently accommodated on an alternative IndiGo aircraft to continue their journey to Agartala, leading to a delay of about three hours.
Is it safe to be on an airplane during a lightning strike?
Modern aircraft are designed to withstand lightning strikes. The lightning current typically travels safely along the plane's metallic exterior and dissipates without causing harm to passengers inside, though it can cause temporary power disruptions.
When did this incident occur?
The lightning strike occurred on Friday morning, June 19, 2026, amidst severe thunderstorm conditions in Kolkata.
