China Southern Airlines Airbus A380 receives significant hail damage
China Southern Airlines Airbus A380 receives significant hail damage

China Southern Airlines Airbus A380 receives significant hail damage

On the 26th of May 2019, a China Southern Airlines Airbus A380 encountered a nasty hail storm, causing significant damage to the radome, cockpit windows and leading edge surfaces.

The aircraft, registered B-6140, was performing flight CZ3101 from Guangzhou to Beijing and was cruising at 37,100ft when it entered a nasty weather system.

Alerted to the sudden cracking of the windshields, the pilots initiated a rapid descent to 16,700ft where the aircraft remained in the air for a further 90 minutes on its way to Beijing before performing a safe landing.

China Southern Airlines Airbus A380 receives significant hail damage
Cockpit windshield after landing

Upon inspection, airport ground workers identified significant damage to the radome and leading edge surfaces. The damaged areas were quickly covered with sheet plastic and tape to prevent additional weather damage.

China Southern Airlines Airbus A380 receives significant hail damage
China Southern Airlines Airbus A380 receives significant hail damage
China Southern Airlines Airbus A380 receives significant hail damage
Infrared Satellite Image Himawari 8 May 26th 02:00Z

No passengers or crew were injured during the occurrence. The aircraft remains on the ground to undergo repairs by China Southern Airlines.


Information Source: The Aviation Herald