Anchorage Airport Sees Brutal Windstorm | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-06.23.25

Airborne-NextGen-06.24.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.25.25

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-06.26.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.27.25

Mon, Jan 10, 2022

Anchorage Airport Sees Brutal Windstorm

5 Planes Totaled While Volunteers Saved What Aircraft They Could

A severe windstorm struck Alaska earlier this week, wreaking havoc across the south central region, with winds up to 91 mph causing damage to vehicles, power lines, and equipment.

Witnesses were surprised to see the level of damage caused by breakaway aircraft, which were subjected to such forces that tiedown anchors and ropes were ripped from their attachment points.

The airport at Palmer Municipal saw at least 5 aircraft totaled from the storm in Matanuska-Susitna, and locals say they were able to batten down the hatches just in time to stop worse damage. Local Don Hammond saw the winds pick up his PA-32 Cherokee Six and dash it inverted against the tarmac. Preliminary estimates by locals put the damage to buildings alone at over $1 million, with unknown levels of repair needed to get those aircraft airworthy once again. 

Hammond's efforts to secure planes paid dividends, he said. Other people near the airport often patrol for loose aircraft ahead of inclement weather, which this time was able to limit damages.

Hammond's team saw one aircraft break free from its moorings and careen across the tie-down area, colliding with multiple aircraft as it was tossed about. Those present put out the call for large, heavy vehicles capable of working as windbrakes in front of the parking areas, and they were surprised by the response. Residents of the area report little assistance from government entities throughout the storm, only afterwards learning that Governor Mike Dunleavy issued a state disaster declaration for the area, hopefully opening up their coffers to cover damages to the aircraft.

The storm coming at the tail end of a 2-year pandemic that cratered aerial tourism could prove to be the final straw for operators already bereft of savings. State assistance to acquire replacement assets and aircraft would go a long way towards restoring the region's uniquely aviation-heavy economy.

FMI: www.alaska.gov

Advertisement

More News

NTSB Final Report: Rutan Long-EZ

He Attempted To Restart The Engine Three Times. On The Third Restart Attempt, He Noticed That Flames Were Coming Out From The Right Wing Near The Fuel Cap Analysis: The pilot repor>[...]

ANN FAQ: Turn On Post Notifications

Make Sure You NEVER Miss A New Story From Aero-News Network Do you ever feel like you never see posts from a certain person or page on Facebook or Instagram? Here’s how you c>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: ICAS Perspectives - Advice for New Air Show Performers

From 2009 (YouTube Edition): Leading Air Show Performers Give Their Best Advice for Newcomers On December 6th through December 9th, the Paris Las Vegas Hotel hosted over 1,500 air >[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (06.28.25)

Aero Linx: NASA ASRS ASRS captures confidential reports, analyzes the resulting aviation safety data, and disseminates vital information to the aviation community. The ASRS is an i>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (06.28.25)

“For our inaugural Pylon Racing Seminar in Roswell, we were thrilled to certify 60 pilots across our six closed-course pylon race classes. Not only did this year’s PRS >[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC