Picture courtesy of Amarin

 

A Thai AirAsia flight carrying 147 people endured a terrifying ordeal after being battered by a hailstorm while descending into Chongqing, China. The Airbus A320 suffered significant damage, including a crumpled nose cone and a damaged cockpit windshield, but landed safely without any injuries.

 

The incident occurred on 17 July 2025 during flight FD552 from Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. According to a post by aviation monitoring page Outsider’s Aviation, the aircraft, registered HS-BBA, encountered severe turbulence and was pummelled by hailstones while descending into Chongqing.

 

Passengers described the aircraft violently shaking as it flew through the extreme weather. Despite the frightening conditions, the pilots managed to land the aircraft safely. Once on the ground, the damage was clearly visible, the aircraft’s nose cone was visibly crushed and parts of the cockpit windshield was cracked

 

Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the 147 people on board, including crew members.

 

Due to the extent of the damage, the return flight (FD553) from Chongqing to Bangkok was delayed. Thai AirAsia issued a statement confirming the incident and emphasising that passenger safety remained the airline’s top priority.

 

The airline provided affected passengers with food, accommodation, and ground support services during the delay. A replacement aircraft was later arranged, and passengers arrived safely back in Bangkok on 18 July.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-07-20

 

 

 

That is impressive. Shades of Superman Returns. 

I wonder how the engine fan blades can survive this kind of intense ice impact.  I thought they were fairly brittle.

31 minutes ago, dddave said:

I wonder how the engine fan blades can survive this kind of intense ice impact.  I thought they were fairly brittle.

The Thai Air Asia AirBus 320's are fitted with CFM International's CFM56-5B engines.They are described as one of the most reliable engines in service. The big risk from hail is "flame out". After a few serious incidents early in the engine's model life, the engine design was modified so that it was more difficult for hail to be sucked into the engine. However, the emphasis for most airlines is on hail storm avoidance. In most countries the aircraft would have been diverted to an alternative airport. In China, foreign aircraft are restricted to specific air corridors and air controllers are reluctant to divert  foreign aircraft to a different airport.

 

9 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

The Thai Air Asia AirBus 320's are fitted with CFM International's CFM56-5B engines.They are described as one of the most reliable engines in service. The big risk from hail is "flame out". After a few serious incidents early in the engine's model life, the engine design was modified so that it was more difficult for hail to be sucked into the engine. However, the emphasis for most airlines is on hail storm avoidance. In most countries the aircraft would have been diverted to an alternative airport. In China, foreign aircraft are restricted to specific air corridors and air controllers are reluctant to divert  foreign aircraft to a different airport.

 

I'm sorry, but I find this impossible to believe. Airlines would not fly into China under those restrictions.

16 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

In China, foreign aircraft are restricted to specific air corridors and air controllers are reluctant to divert  foreign aircraft to a different airport.

If that’s true, a future episode of air crash investigation just waiting to happen ?…

What's the problem?  It will polish out....

10 hours ago, JensenZ said:

I'm sorry, but I find this impossible to believe. Airlines would not fly into China under those restrictions.

He is correct. Deviation requires authority greater than that granted to the controller. Hierarchy is inherent in their systems. 

12 hours ago, realfunster said:

If that’s true, a future episode of air crash investigation just waiting to happen ?…

 

It looks very much like that. It would be interesting to hear from the pilot if a diversion was requested and denied. Isn't there a website or forum where pilots post such chatter?  

12 hours ago, JensenZ said:

I'm sorry, but I find this impossible to believe. Airlines would not fly into China under those restrictions.

 

On any given day, 75-80% of Chinese airspace is limited to Chinese military aircraft. Of the 25-30% of airspace available to civilian aircraft, foreign airlines are restricted to an even smaller airspace, and then only along set air corridors. This makes alternative flight routing and diversions very difficult. If a Swiss aircraft flying TATL between Zurich and Chicago runs into problems off the coast of Canada or the USA, the ATC will be quick to assist, starting with Gander, handing off to other Canadian or US ATC centers seamlessly and finding the best diversion airport, with the primary concern being to get the aircraft down as fast and safely possible, whether it be in St John's, or Halifax or Bangor. Not so in China. ATC, first tries to discourage a diversion, and then if there is a diversion, it must be to a preapproved alternate airport, and then only if the change is approved. Aircraft don't have the time to wait, and need immediate assistance, and the Chinese approach is well known and documented. A Google search will give you the list of NOTAMS and flight restrictions along much of the popular Chinese flight routes. Some of these flight restrictions are security driven, but there is a strong sentiment that it is intentional, to keep foreign airlines out of China.

 

Still in disbelief? Have a look at the flight restrictions that apply specifically to foreign aircraft on any given day. You can input your search parameters on the ICAO  listing.

All I need to convince me is one credible report about an International airline flying into China that was prevented from flying around a severe storm due to Chinese restrictions. I'll need to see the conversation between pilots and controllers, stating something like, "No, sorry, you cannot divert - you'll have to fly into the storm - good luck!"

11 minutes ago, JensenZ said:

I'm not going to conduct a Google search about it to prove that you may be correct, but you're welcome to leave a link to a reputable source to back up your story... but I'm still in disbelief, because the decision to fly under dangerous local (China) regulations would be made by the airlines flying into China. Perhaps they limit Chinese airlines, but foreign airlines, putting them in potential danger? I don't think so.

This link will provide some background

 

Rules Governing Operation of Foreign Civil Aircraft

 

Article 11  A foreign civil aircraft shall fly within a specified air 
corridor or over a specified entry/exit point when across the national 
boundary of the People's Republic of China. Deviation from the air corridor or 
the entry/exit point is prohibited.

 

https://www.asianlii.org/cn/legis/cen/laws/rgoofca480/

8 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

This link will provide some background

 

Rules Governing Operation of Foreign Civil Aircraft

 

Article 11  A foreign civil aircraft shall fly within a specified air 
corridor or over a specified entry/exit point when across the national 
boundary of the People's Republic of China. Deviation from the air corridor or 
the entry/exit point is prohibited.

 

https://www.asianlii.org/cn/legis/cen/laws/rgoofca480/

Why not cut to the chase and show the relevant article?

 

  Article 30  When taking off from or landing at an aerodrome within the
territory of the People's Republic of China, a foreign civil aircraft shall
observe the aerodrome weather minima specified by the General Administration
of Civil Aviation of China. No take-off or landing is allowed when the weather
conditions are below the minima. If in the case of emergency, the
pilot-in-command decides to land below the minima, he shall be held fully
responsible for his decision and all the consequences arising therefrom.

    When the weather is extremely poor, the ATC service at the aerodrome shall
close the aerodrome, prohibiting all take-offs and landings.

    Article 31  In case of hazardous weather that will endanger the aircraft
en route or in the vicinity of an aerodrome of departure or landing within the
territory of the People's Republic of China, the relevant ATC service of the
General Administration of Civil Aviation of China may advise the
pilot-in-command of the aircraft in the affected area to postpone the
take-off, turn back or make a diversion to an alternate as appropriate. The
pilot-in-command, however, has the right to make a final decision for which he
is likewise to be responsible.

3 minutes ago, JensenZ said:

Why not cut to the chase and show the relevant article?

 

  Article 30  When taking off from or landing at an aerodrome within the
territory of the People's Republic of China, a foreign civil aircraft shall
observe the aerodrome weather minima specified by the General Administration
of Civil Aviation of China. No take-off or landing is allowed when the weather
conditions are below the minima. If in the case of emergency, the
pilot-in-command decides to land below the minima, he shall be held fully
responsible for his decision and all the consequences arising therefrom.

    When the weather is extremely poor, the ATC service at the aerodrome shall
close the aerodrome, prohibiting all take-offs and landings.

    Article 31  In case of hazardous weather that will endanger the aircraft
en route or in the vicinity of an aerodrome of departure or landing within the
territory of the People's Republic of China, the relevant ATC service of the
General Administration of Civil Aviation of China may advise the
pilot-in-command of the aircraft in the affected area to postpone the
take-off, turn back or make a diversion to an alternate as appropriate. The
pilot-in-command, however, has the right to make a final decision for which he
is likewise to be responsible.

Probably because you edited your post and changed the question you asked. I answered about airlines having to follow designated routes.

 

I posted the link to the relevant article, which is clearly where you got the further references.

 

 

Just now, Georgealbert said:

Probably because you edited your post and changed the question you asked. I answered about airlines having to follow designated routes.

 

I posted the link to the relevant article, which is clearly where you got the further references.

 

 

Ok, fair enough, but it's quite clear in the last sentence of Article 31 that the pilot has the right to make the final decision. I can't see any pilots who were not given clearance by the ATC service saying, "ok, I don't want to get into trouble - I'll take my chances with a severe hail storm".

 

Even in China, they realise that emergencies do happen, and if they forced foreign aircraft to fly into danger, that would seriously affect International air travel. 

22 hours ago, JensenZ said:

I'm sorry, but I find this impossible to believe. Airlines would not fly into China under those restrictions.

you are wrong. There are specific routes planes must use when flying in china. The reply you comment on is correct about this. Planes are not allowed to deviate their flight paths without someone high up in the government approving it. 

20 minutes ago, JensenZ said:

Ok, fair enough, but it's quite clear in the last sentence of Article 31 that the pilot has the right to make the final decision. I can't see any pilots who were not given clearance by the ATC service saying, "ok, I don't want to get into trouble - I'll take my chances with a severe hail storm".

 

Even in China, they realise that emergencies do happen, and if they forced foreign aircraft to fly into danger, that would seriously affect International air travel. 

If the pilot declares an emergency on 121.5 MHz with a Pan-Pan radio call or a distress Mayday call, the controller has to give priority to the needs of the aircraft in terms of safety. Also if the pilot squawks 7700 on its transponder it obliges the controller to give assistance to the aircraft in the same way as an emergency or distress call.In the weather situation and before entering the storm the pilot can send a “sécurité-sécurité” call telling other aircrafts of the imminent danger and the controller must accommodate all other aircrafts in the vicinity by assigning the safest route and altitude.

An emergency or distress call overrides all other regulations including transiting military airspace and landing on military bases if it gives the aircraft the best alternative for its safety.

China is part of the ICAO and cannot depart from these rules.

That looks terrible, they should have stopped it going into that bad weather, and diverted it. Must have been obvious on any radar...! 

 

Are you guys saying they take this kind of risk every time due to flight path restriction...? That will be big news around the world against China and their safety reputation..., and not many foreign airlines would accept such a risk flying to that place... 🤔. Very strange...!? 

13 hours ago, thesetat said:

you are wrong. There are specific routes planes must use when flying in china. The reply you comment on is correct about this. Planes are not allowed to deviate their flight paths without someone high up in the government approving it. 

You are most certainly wrong, as was already explained in a previous post. The pilot has the right to make the final decision. The idea that a pilot would have to contact someone high up in the government for approval to fly around a severe storm is absurd, even in China. No international airline would go anywhere near China if that were true.

 

Rules Governing Operation of Foreign Civil Aircraft in China:

 

Article 31  

 

In case of hazardous weather that will endanger the aircraft
en route or in the vicinity of an aerodrome of departure or landing within the
territory of the People's Republic of China, the relevant ATC service of the
General Administration of Civil Aviation of China may advise the
pilot-in-command of the aircraft in the affected area to postpone the
take-off, turn back or make a diversion to an alternate as appropriate. The
pilot-in-command, however, has the right to make a final decision for which he
is likewise to be responsible.

 

 

 

 

14 hours ago, thesetat said:

you are wrong. There are specific routes planes must use when flying in china. The reply you comment on is correct about this. Planes are not allowed to deviate their flight paths without someone high up in the government approving it. 

They cant divert unless they are advised to. Keep going or go back, your choice

13 hours ago, Nid_Noi said:

China is part of the ICAO and cannot depart from these rules.

Yes, we can.

On 7/20/2025 at 9:58 AM, dddave said:

I wonder how the engine fan blades can survive this kind of intense ice impact.  I thought they were fairly brittle.

They are actually not...