Tornado-worthiness of large aircraft

jrh

jrh

Well-Known Member
Not talking about penetrating one in flight, more like the effect of getting struck by one while parked on the ground...

Last night a major storm rolled through STL. Since there was lightning in the area, the ramp crews shut down and several arriving Southwest 737s got backed up on the ramp. Then the storm's intensity increased and a tornado warning was issued.

It got me thinking, what happens if a tornado hits a parked, loaded 737? Or is this a scenario that nobody knows the outcome, and all airlines pretty much just take their chances and hope for the best?
 
I would believe that the airlines are hoping this happens. A lot of fuel is spent taxing and taking off. This would be a free boost from mother nature to get airborn.

"Positive rate....gear up. Engine start checklist to the line, start engine 2, then 1 and perform the after take off checklist."
 
jrh said:
Not talking about penetrating one in flight, more like the effect of getting struck by one while parked on the ground...

Last night a major storm rolled through STL. Since there was lightning in the area, the ramp crews shut down and several arriving Southwest 737s got backed up on the ramp. Then the storm's intensity increased and a tornado warning was issued.

It got me thinking, what happens if a tornado hits a parked, loaded 737? Or is this a scenario that nobody knows the outcome, and all airlines pretty much just take their chances and hope for the best?
Click to expand...

I would think they would try to get the people inside. That way it's safer and less of a liability. I did an externship at FLL and you wouldn't believe the hurricane procedures they have in place. They shut down arrivals, departures are sent out like crazy while the ground crews are moving the equipment to the tops of the parking garages, terminals are being locked down, gates are being secured, it's wild what goes on.
 
Not that one. It was a CRJ that came out of the chocks after hours. It was security camera footage. IIRC it pretty much weathervaned into the wind.
 
Living in tornado central, it makes our severe weather procedures quite interesting. Our outgoing commanding officer finally put a little sense into it, however.

Prior to the latest instructions, I've been called at home and asked if I could get in, preflighted, and airborne before the storm that was 30 minutes out would hit. Living 10 minutes from base and needing, AT LEAST, 30 minutes to get a decent preflight, 1-1/2 to get a good one in. Gotta love when the NFO's are standing the duty... :rolleyes:

Some of the most interesting takeoffs are when the storms are wrapped around the airfield north, west, and south and closing on you quickly... Take off on 35 and have an immediate turn to the east to get out of Dodge.
 
Well, I know what has happened at GFK twice. We've had large storms approach, and I know pinnacle moved their departure about 20min early one day. Everyone else that could launched/flee before it got here. Once it did, the last few operators getting ready to go shut down, tied down, and ran inside. Once there was a tornado spotted, airport management started calling every building to come to the terminal shelter, or to see underground shelter. Everything that was still outside was abandoned and people moved. Planes are expensive, but people are much more so. Even if an airline/airport isn't always the most ethical, it is concerned about good image and saving money.

During snowstorms I see airlines/airport clamp down, protect the passengers, and let the storm do it's thing. Once it's over, do your best to recover. I'm guessing that if aircraft were still taxing and a storm that was severe enough was approaching, aircraft would return to the ramp, evacuate, and rush people inside. Solid concrete and rebar is stronger that aluminum on struts. I haven't heard of that, but you usually have an hour of warning or more.
 
We were in CID once years ago, with an ATR waiting to go back to ORD. We had a bit of sit time on the turn (not a quick turn) so we were inside and saw a really nasty line approaching, and it was coming FAST. The 3 of us realized the airplane hadn't been closed up, so we hauled butt back out to the plane, got the doors closed and pulled the GPU and were RUNNING back into ops as we could see the sheeting rain and black clouds coming at us, we got drenched at the last second just before we made it back in, and then the tornado sirens started screaming and all persons were taken to the "safe area" of the airport. In CID this was inside the terminal, away from the doors and towards the middle of the building. The tornado passed close to the airport, but did not hit the field, though the winds were still tremendous. We were a little nervous of what might have happened to the plane, but it was right where we left it, it hadn't moved much that we could tell. Though there was no jet bridge attached (open-air ramp parking with the ATR in CID at that time) that would have pulled away or anything. The plane was nice & clean though from the torrential downpour!
 
jrh said:
It got me thinking, what happens if a tornado hits a parked, loaded 737? Or is this a scenario that nobody knows the outcome, and all airlines pretty much just take their chances and hope for the best?
Click to expand...

A tornado, spawned by the remains of Hurricane Jeanne, hit New Castle ANGB in Delaware in 2004.

The C-130s were parked side-by-side on the ramp, 50 ft apart and some distance away. They broke their tiedown chains, got airborne, and spun round a number of times before landing where they were. Others got shoved down the ramp and into the dirt infield. One of the C-130s flew up and over the top of a Security Police vehicle and it's occupants which were on the ramp at the time.

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jrh said:
Not talking about penetrating one in flight, more like the effect of getting struck by one while parked on the ground...

Last night a major storm rolled through STL. Since there was lightning in the area, the ramp crews shut down and several arriving Southwest 737s got backed up on the ramp. Then the storm's intensity increased and a tornado warning was issued.

It got me thinking, what happens if a tornado hits a parked, loaded 737? Or is this a scenario that nobody knows the outcome, and all airlines pretty much just take their chances and hope for the best?
Click to expand...

Sounds like you were there at the same time I was. I had just landed about 10 mins prior and were sitting in the airplane at the gate when it started. Went over to the Signature hangar as it was starting to sprinkle and made it inside a minute or two before the hail.
 
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