An Agartala-bound IndiGo aircraft carrying 141 passengers and six crew members was grounded at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport on Friday morning, June 19, 2026, after being struck by lightning during a severe monsoon storm. Stationed at aerobridge 56L, the Airbus A320neo suffered an instantaneous auxiliary power failure, leading to a prompt de-boarding process. While passengers and onboard airline crew remained entirely unhurt, three ground personnel working on the wet tarmac near the plane suffered temporary hearing loss and shock from the extreme acoustic discharge.
From the perspective of the travellers, the event triggered brief panic, while airport authorities focused immediately on emergency response and safety compliance. In the latest developments, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a thorough technical investigation of the grounded vessel, and all affected travellers reached their destination later that day via a replacement flight arranged by the airline.
Blinding Flash And Sudden Blackout
The incident occurred around 9:30 AM as flight 6E 6068 concluded boarding operations amidst intense regional thunderstorms. The regional weather office at Dum Dum recorded a staggering 88 mm of rainfall that morning, creating highly volatile atmospheric conditions.
Witnesses inside the cabin described a brilliant flash followed by a deafening, metallic thunderclap that physically shook the entire structure of the plane. The massive electrical surge tripped the onboard breakers of the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), plunging the passenger cabin into a sudden blackout.
While the sudden loss of light and loud noise caused immediate anxiety and minor ear discomfort among the flyers, the aircraft’s metallic fuselage functioned as a protective shield. Modern commercial aircraft are designed with highly conductive aluminum skins that act as a Faraday cage, channeling high-voltage currents safely away from the internal cabin and dissipating them into the ground without harming the people inside.
Tarmac Crew Hospitalised By Ground Currents
Outside the protective shell of the aircraft, the impact was felt much more severely by the frontline staff working on the apron area. Two baggage loaders employed by IndiGo and a pushback vehicle driver from AI Airport Services Limited (AISEL) were completing final checks near the aircraft when the bolt struck.
When lightning hits a massive or elevated object like a stationary commercial jet, the immense electrical charge spreads outward across the wet concrete surface. This phenomenon, known as a ground current, is one of the leading causes of lightning-related injuries on airport tarmacs.
The accompanying sonic boom and electrical discharge knocked the ground workers into a state of physical shock, resulting in acute distress and temporary deafness. Airport emergency medical services responded rapidly, administering first aid before transferring the affected personnel to a nearby private hospital. Fortunately, their hearing naturally returned within a few hours, and all three individuals were discharged after being declared medically fit by hospital authorities.
Technical Audits And Alternate Arrangements
Following the strike, airport officials and the flight captain immediately executed standard emergency guidelines. The 141 passengers were calmly guided back into the terminal building via the aerobridge to minimize exposure to the ongoing storm. To ensure absolute safety, IndiGo completely took the aircraft out of service so it could undergo mandatory, comprehensive technical inspections.
Aviation engineers began conducting detailed visual and digital audits to check the fuselage for physical scorch marks, melted paint at entry and exit points, and potential structural damage to composite frames. Crucially, tests were initiated to rule out any internal damage to the plane’s highly sensitive communication, radar, and navigation systems.
To minimize disruption for the stranded travellers, IndiGo quickly arranged a larger alternative aircraft, an Airbus A321 (registration VT-ICD). After a delay of nearly three and a half hours to coordinate baggage transfers and flight logistics, the replacement flight took off successfully at 12:50 PM, ensuring the travellers safely reached Agartala. Meanwhile, the severe weather cell continued to disrupt the city, causing heavy waterlogging on airport access roads and slow moving traffic on the VIP Road crossings.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable challenges posed by extreme weather and the crucial importance of stringent safety protocols. At The Logical Indian, we believe that human safety and well-being must always take absolute precedence over operational schedules. We extend our deepest empathy to the passengers who endured this frightening ordeal, and our sincere respect goes out to the airport emergency teams who provided immediate, efficient medical care.
Most importantly, this event highlights the profound vulnerability of tarmac workers who continue their duties under hazardous skies to keep our transport networks moving. While passengers inside the aircraft are shielded by advanced engineering, ground handlers remain exposed to severe risks like ground currents and blast shockwaves.
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STORY | Agartala-bound IndiGo flight struck by lightning at Kolkata airport, no injuries
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 19, 2026
An IndiGo aircraft bound for Agartala was struck by lightning at Kolkata airport on Friday during a thunderstorm, an Airports Authority of India (AAI) official said.
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