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Videos have emerged in the past couple of days that showcase the damage sustained by a LATAM Airbus A320 after it flew through hail, whether it was inside or right next to a severe thunderstorm – in this instance, near a thunderstorm and even within one, as both can be truly devastating. It is a remarkable testament to the pilots who found themselves in the midst of that storm that they were able to bring the plane safely to land, and as you can see, the radar dome was completely demolished by what must have been huge hail.
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— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) October 27, 2022
The flight had originated in Santiago, Chile, and was on its way to Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, when it had to divert due to the weather to an airport in Brazil. After taking off once again, it encountered that severe weather. There are conflicting reports regarding injuries, with some stories claiming that several passengers were seriously injured, while the airline stated in a statement that no one was harmed.
The plane itself endured extensive damage, with the hail nearly shattering both windshields, making it extremely difficult for the pilots to see ahead clearly. Eventually, they managed to carry out a successful emergency landing in Asunción. Authorities are currently investigating the incident.
From thunderstorms to icy clouds, the weather poses numerous hazards to small planes. Dive into Weather Hazards here.
