As Many As 30 Aircraft Flipped By The Wind

As many as 30 aircraft were flipped over at Chandler Municipal Airport (KHCD) in Arizona when strong storms passed through the area with winds up to 60 miles per hour. In all, airport officials said 41 planes sustained significant damage due to the storm, and dozens of others were slightly damaged.

Television stations KPHO and KTVK report that the National Weather Service said that the winds were likely a microburst but that has not been confirmed.

An airplane owner who's aircraft escaped damage was at the airport as the storm, called a haboob, came in. J.D. Walker said that that another pilot, Bill Jennings, came over to his hangar that was being pummelled by wind, rain, and hail and said that his plane had been torn out of its tie-downs.

Walker went to assist Jennings, whose plane suffered damage estimated at several thousand dollars. But others were flipped completely over.

Jennings said that it was the third microburst he's experienced at the airport, but it was the first time "I had a plane picked up right behind me and dropped on a plane right behind me."

Fortunately, no one at the airport was hurt during the storm, and the airport is open.

FMI: www.chandleraz.gov/airport