'Gustnado' Takes Out Kansas City Flight School Fleet

The aircraft were left outside on the ramp, which is controlled by Signature Flight Support.

Friday, April 21, 2023 at 06:32 PM ET

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Gustnados, according to the National Weather Service, are not considered tornadoes. The peak winds from Thursday's storm were estimated to have reached 65 mph. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

ATD Flight Systems LLC, a Kansas City flight school, lost 11 of its 13 aircraft due to strong winds (a "gustnado" reaching 65 mph) at Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport on April 20.
The aircraft were parked on the ramp instead of in their hangar because the hangar was being prepared to host a fashion show fundraiser.
Despite warnings of severe weather, the aircraft were reportedly not tied down, though the ramp operator, Signature Flight Support, stated they were "triple-chocked" and followed standard operating procedures.

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Poor timing and a severe weather event have put a major dent in the operations of ATD Flight Systems LLC at Kansas City’s Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (KMKC) in Kansas City, Missouri.

The busy part 141 flight school lost 11 of its 13 aircraft the morning of April 20 when strong winds, known as a gustnado, blew through the area. The aircraft, normally kept in a hangar, were parked on the ramp because the hangar was being prepared to host a fashion show fundraiser for cancer survivors.