Large Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 16000
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew FLC Overrode Automation; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Weather
In our descent from FL340 to FL290 we entered clouds at FL300. Passing through 29500 feet; we encountered very heavy precipitation/hail; severe turbulence and a large flash of light at the left side of the nose of the aircraft. We perceived this flash of light as a possible lightning strike. During the severe turbulence phase of the event; the aircraft pitched up (approx. 15 degrees) and climbed with a VVI (Vertical Velocity Indication) of 4600 fpm. The autopilot disengaged and control was manually taken over to correct attitude and altitude deviations. Auto thrust remained on and speed was manually selected. The flight landed uneventfully on a north flow into the airport. Walk around at the gate revealed hail damage to the nose of the aircraft. Aircraft was taken out of service for further inspection.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
Air carrier flight crew reported encountering heavy rain; hail; sever turbulence; and a lightning strike. Aircraft landed uneventfully; but did sustain hail damage to nose cone.