A Vistara flight operating from Bhubaneswar to Delhi, India was forced to make a return after experiencing hail damage on 1 May 2024.
Vistara flight UK788, operated by an Airbus A320-200, had made a departure from Bhubaneswar (BBI) when it passed through a hailstorm whilst on climb.
Vistara UK788 Bhubaneswar-Delhi
![](https://aviationsourcenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-03-123854-1024x719.jpg)
The aircraft subsequently suffered hail strike damage to the windshield, prompting flight crew to initiate a precautionary return.
The flight subsequently returned and made an emergency landing without further incident at Biju Patnaik International Airport approximately 30 minutes after initial departure.
![](https://aviationsourcenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-03-123922-1024x523.jpg)
Preliminary reports indicated that the aircraft windshield developed a crack. Some damage to the radome assembly was also evident from photographs.
The flight was operating with 169 passengers and crew on board, and no injuries were sustained during the in-flight incident.
![](https://aviationsourcenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GMfkyGvWcAAATbU-1024x576.jpg)
Flight data shows that the Delhi bound flight made a departure from Bhubaneswar at 1344 local time on 1 May.
The aircraft had been in the air for approximately 10 to 15 minutes when the encounter took place. Flight crew subsequently terminated the climb at FL200 and a precautionary return was requested.
A320-200 VT-TQH
The aircraft conducting the UK788 service was an Airbus A320-200, registered VT-TQH. This is a 2.7-year-old aircraft belonging to the carrier Vistara. It has been in operational service with the airline since its initial delivery in September 2021.
Vistara is an Indian full-service airline founded in 2013 as a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines.
It started operations in January 2015 with its first flight between Delhi and Mumbai. As of April 2023, Vistara is the second-largest domestic airline in India with a market share of 8.7%.
Vistara serves 50 destinations across India with a fleet of Airbus A320neo, Airbus A321neo, and Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The carrier recently launched international flight services to London.
![](https://aviationsourcenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AviationSource_NewsLetter_Graphic_2.png)
Click the banner to subscribe to our weekly Emergencies and Incidents newsletter.
![](https://aviationsourcenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/F9NKc7MW4AA2V1B.jpeg)
Click the photo to join our WhatsApp channel so then you can stay up to date with everything going on in the aviation industry!