PASSENGERS on a Brazilian Airlines flight found themselves in a close call earlier this month after one of its jets unknowingly flew into a destructive hailstorm.

Brazilian TAM Airlines Flight JJ 3307 took off in Rio de Janeiro en route to the Brazilian city of Natal on February 9 and climbed to approximately 18,000 feet when the flight entered what has been described as a “cloud of hail”.

Local media Odia suggest lightning damaged the flight’s weather radar, steering the flight into dangerous territory and leaving its pilots powerless to know what lay ahead.

Reports indicate that as the plane was turning back, a hail strike hit, cracking the plane’s three-layered windscreen and crushing its nose. Pictures reveal the sheer power of the thunderstorm.

Hail and turbulence caused severe damage to the radome of this A321 #TAM yesterday!!Emergency ldg! Via tráfico aéreo pic.twitter.com/VcQbsmKqnC — ✈Monica-✈ (@vargasmoni) February 10, 2015

Despite the drama, the flight was able to make it to land safely within forty minutes.

No injuries were reported.

“In the path (the air) passed through a turbulent area and hail damage was not detected by radar,” TAM said in a statement.

“The landing was carried out at the Galeão International Airport, with complete safety for the passengers and crew.”

An internal investigation will be conducted.