Delta jet makes emergency landing in New York after wing damage from hailstorm

24 July 2023 , 20:52

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Image shows the extent of damage to the nose cone (Image: Twitter)

A Delta Airlines flight, DL185, was forced to make an emergency landing in Rome after its wings were severely damaged during a violent hailstorm that hit northern Italy.

The aircraft sustained damage to its nose and on the fuselage near the wings, Italian media said.

The incident occurred shortly after take-off from Milan's Malpensa airport, as the Boeing 767 was en route to JFK International Airport in New York.

Flight tracking data revealed the aircraft circling Milan before redirecting south towards Rome, where it safely landed after encountering the adverse weather conditions.

Pictures taken of the plane showed significant damage, with the front nose cone punched through and visible holes in the wing and engine. As the aircraft was visibly damaged, it prompted an examination by maintenance staff.

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts

Images show visible holes in the wing and engine (Twitter)

“The flight landed safely and passengers deplaned normally. The aircraft sustained some damage during the bad weather which is being reviewed by our local maintenance team,″ the airline’s statement said.

The hailstorm that struck the northern part of Italy caused widespread devastation, including flash flooding and hailstones the size of tennis balls. The violent thunderstorm presented hazardous conditions for aviation, leading to the emergency landing in Rome.

Delta Airlines issued a statement regarding the incident, stating that the flight was diverted to Rome due to the encounter with adverse weather immediately after take-off.

Passenger Jeffrey Saunders posted on Twitter: 'Flight 185 pummelled by hail on take-off. Makes emergency landing Rome. Scary incident.'

Images show visible holes in the wing and engine (Twitter)

Elsewhere in Brianza near Milan, the same storm claimed a life when a 58-year-old woman was killed after a tree fell on the car she was traveling in, a result of the high winds accompanying the storm.

The hailstorms in Desio left streets covered in white hailstones, reminiscent of a Christmas card scene. Weather experts highlighted the severity of the hailstones, capable of reaching weights of 200g and speeds of 150kph, with the potential to cause devastating impact on anything in their path.

Italy is currently experiencing a north-south divide in weather conditions, with cities like Rome, Naples, and the islands of Sardinia and Sicily witnessing temperatures soaring into the upper 40°C range, exacerbating the challenging meteorological situation in the region.

Lucy Williamson