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THE PLANE RIDE FROM HAIL

Hero pilot lands holiday jet ‘blind’ after massive storm causes thousands of cracks in the battered aircraft’s windscreen

The pilot of the domestic flight in China has been called a hero for miraculously landing the plane despite being unable to see out its windows

A PILOT has heroically landed a passenger jet "blind" after a hailstorm damaged the plane's windscreen making it impossible to see through the glass.

Dramatic pictures taken of the plane show serious damage to the nose and two windscreens after the Airbus A320 flew directly into the large blocks of ice.

It was virtually impossible to see out the plane's front window after hail damaged the glass
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It was virtually impossible to see out the plane's front window after hail damaged the glassCredit: CEN
Despite this, the hero pilot managed to successfully land the aircraft
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Despite this, the hero pilot managed to successfully land the aircraftCredit: CEN
The front of the plane was peppered by slabs of ice when it flew into a storm
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The front of the plane was peppered by slabs of ice when it flew into a stormCredit: CEN

The China Southern Airlines flight was undertaking a domestic trip from Guangzhou to Chengdu when the hailstorm struck.

Met by the unpredictable weather, the captain of Flight 3484 had no choice but to plough through the rough conditions, battling the large hail mid-air.

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The windscreen was severely damaged and cracked by the ice blocks but it did not shatter, and despite the poor visibility the pilot successfully landed at Chengdu Airport at 7:51pm.

The craft successfully taxied to the airport apron, where further pictures show where the nose of the plane had been battered by the hail.

The pilot had no option to fly through the storm while travelling a domestic route in China
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The pilot had no option to fly through the storm while travelling a domestic route in ChinaCredit: CEN
Passengers praised the pilot's actions after he landed the plane despite being unable to see out the windows
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Passengers praised the pilot's actions after he landed the plane despite being unable to see out the windowsCredit: CEN

The hail also tore off all its paint and even left little craters on the plane's panels.

Passengers on the flight later praised the flight crew for their efforts in ensuring their safety as well as helping to keep passengers calm.

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