In a scene that could make a disaster movie director jealous, an Austrian Airlines flight from Palma de Mallorca, Spain, to Vienna, Austria, was assaulted mid-flight by a very irritable hailstorm. The Airbus A320 endured a brutal pummeling, with its nose and cockpit windows coming out on the losing side.

During what can only be described as twenty minutes of atmospheric chaos, a Mayday distress call was issued by the quick-thinking cockpit crew as they valiantly tried to navigate through the tempest. Emmeley Oakley, a passenger on the flight, described the experience as “twenty minutes of powerful turbulence and loud hail,” which surely made everyone wonder if they had accidentally embarked on the ride of doom at an amusement park NY Post.

Photos shared on social media in the aftermath showcased severe damage to the plane’s nose and front cockpit windows, making it clear that the aircraft had taken quite the beating. According to CNN, the hail caused notable damage to other coverings as well, showing that when it rains, it hails—aggressively.

Despite the airborne ordeal, the aircraft managed to land safely at Vienna International Airport, with no passengers or crew members harmed in the incident. Safety, as it turns out, is still the top priority for Austrian Airlines, and their team pulled through NBC News.

In a twist straight out of a weather conspiracy book, the cockpit crew reported that the ominous weather cell wasn’t even visible on the radar, adding another layer to the mystery of why smartphones can predict your every move, but weather radars still miss rogue hailstorms CNN.

Austrian Airlines has now tasked its technical team with assessing the specific damage to their battered bird, an effort that will likely involve more than just a bit of polishing and buffing.

Oakley, who was one of the 173 passengers aboard, commended the cabin crew for their exemplary efforts in maintaining calm amidst the chaos. The turbulence, coupled with the relentless hail, sent personal items careening around the cabin and drew a symphony of screams, but the crew managed to restore a sense of order and perhaps some much-needed serenity.

All things considered, this Austrian Airlines flight saga underscores the sheer unpredictability of Mother Nature, the resilience of modern aircraft, and the unyielding fortitude of airline crews. Here’s to hoping for smoother skies ahead—or at the very least, weather radars that don’t come with a plot twist CNN.

So next time you’re cruising above the clouds, spare a thought for the brave souls navigating the skies, and perhaps, avoid scheduling flights during Hailstorm Season—as if that’s a thing NBC News.

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