Chennai: Cyclone Fengal created turbulent conditions across coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, leaving its mark on aviation as well. An IndiGo Airbus A320neo flight faced extreme challenges while attempting to land at Chennai Airport on Saturday evening, shortly after the storm made landfall.

A video of the incident, now viral on social media, shows the plane struggling to touch down on the runway amidst severe crosswinds. The aircraft briefly makes contact with the ground before swaying dangerously to the side, its wings nearly grazing the tarmac. Within moments, the pilot expertly executes a go-around maneuver, lifting the plane back into the air.

Pilot’s Critical Decision Prevents Disaster

Aviation experts praised the pilot’s quick judgment, which likely averted a catastrophe. One aviation critic shared the video on social media, stating:

“This could have ended badly in Chennai. An Airbus A320neo of IndiGo Airlines struggled to touch down as Cyclone Fengal made landfall and went for a go-around.”

The Chennai Airport had been closed until 4 am on December 1 due to Cyclone Fengal, with flight operations resuming only after the weather improved. IndiGo Airlines resumed regular schedules on Sunday morning.

Cyclone Fengal’s Impact

Cyclone Fengal unleashed heavy rain and strong winds across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as it made landfall on Saturday evening. Its effects disrupted air, rail, and road transport, forcing precautionary closures and delaying schedules.

This incident underscores the challenges faced by pilots and aviation staff in ensuring passenger safety during extreme weather, serving as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in flying through adverse conditions.