Hero Pilot praised for saving 127 passengers after Plane windscreen was smashed by freak hailstorm
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A pilot has been awarded a national medal of courage
..for safely landing a packed passenger jet βblindβ after its windshield was smashed by giant hailstones in a violent storm over Turkey. The Airbus A320 was en route from Istanbul to Erkan with 127 tourists on board when it flew through the severe storms that battered the Turkish city!
Soon after take-off, at 1,300m, the aircraftβs nose was pummelled by hailstones the size of golf balls, shattering the windscreen and leaving the pilots unable to see. The Pilot, who has been awarded Ukraineβs Order for Courage, decided to turn the plane around and attempt to return to Istanbulβs Ataturk Airport. The aircraft did land safely, however, and was greeted by applause from waiting emergency services from the Airportβs authorities.
After landing Captain Akopov said: βI have been flying for 30 years. Well, did you see the plane landing? Was it OK? The passengers are alive. It is normal. This is our professional reliability.β
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A pilot has been awarded a national medal of courage 
The Airbus A320 was en route from Istanbul to Erkan with 127 tourists on board when it flew through the severe storms that battered the Turkish city! 
The Pilot, who has been awarded Ukraineβs Order for Courage, decided to turn the plane around and attempt to return to Istanbulβs Ataturk Airport.
The aircraft did land safely, however, and was greeted by applause from waiting emergency services from the Airportβs authorities. 
