Austrian Airlines plane’s nose, cockpit windows damaged during flight by severe hail storm

An Austrian Airlines airplane’s nose and cockpit windows were severely damaged by hail during a flight from Spain to Austria after encountering a thunderstorm cell, officials say. 

Flight OS434 from Palma de Mallorca, Spain, to Vienna on Sunday encountered a thunderstorm cell during approach to its destination.

The cockpit crew said the cell wasn’t visible on the weather radar and a Mayday distress call was made, Austrian Airlines said. 

The hail damaged the two front cockpit windows, the aircraft nose and some coverings. Photos shared on social media showed severe damage to the front of the plane, with coverings stripped off the nose of the plane.