Incident
An airplane experienced substantial damage after encountering hail while in cruise flight. The aircraft was en route when air traffic control advised the pilot that the planned intersection was closed due to weather conditions, prompting a route change.
Flight Details
At the time of the event, the flight was cruising at 29,000 feet. Controllers cleared the pilot to descend to 27,000 feet. During the descent, the pilot inquired about the duration of anticipated rain exposure. The controller responded that the aircraft would likely be out of the rain within one to two minutes.
Shortly after this exchange, the aircraft flew into an area of severe hail, lightning, and turbulence. Weather radar data later indicated that the route of flight passed near a region of moderate thunderstorm activity.
Despite the damage, the pilot continued to the destination and completed the landing without further incident.