A Delta Air Lines A330-300 operating Flight DL169 from Barcelona to New York JFK was forced to turn around and return to Barcelona on July 12 after encountering severe hail and storm damage shortly after takeoff  Passengers aboard the flight reported violent turbulence, and photos shared online show the aircraft’s crushed radome, a bent fan blade on the number 1 engine, and hail impacts on the left wing . Air traffic authorities confirm the hail strike occurred during a regional storm and led to the crew aborting the climb at 20,000 feet, circling off the Costa Brava coast before landing safely back at Barcelona El Prat . The aircraft remains grounded for a detailed inspection by Delta’s maintenance teams.