Thought you all might like to hear about this, a severe storm hit Buenos Aires and damaged quite a few parked aircraft, including an Aerolineas Argentinas 737-700.

Severe Storm in Buenos Aires Leaves Nearly 20 Aircraft Damaged - Aviacionline.com

I wonder if this plane was chocked?  Would a plane move like that if it was?

Maybe just the right side was chocked.

The Rear Rudder is the problem with winds like that while parked at the gate. I've sat on aircraft on the ground at Wellington Airport during winds (we are considered one of the windiest airports) and the winds hitting the rudder felt as strong turbulence, even though we were on the ground and not moving. The winds flows are disrupted by the building and swirls around a lot but the rear rudder is getting a lot of stress from it.

We can get 140 to 160 km winds a few times a year but we are better prepared for that because like I said, we are are really really windy place in the world, so our infrastructure is designed for that, and earthquakes too

EDIT: looking at the video of the one that spun, it was not at the gate and likely the wind generated some lift on the wings raising the nose wheels slightly or reducing the weight on the nose, amazing to see that  😗

Edited December 19, 20232 yr by Matthew Kane

Gives the name Buenos Aires a whole new meaning.

It almost looked like there was a mini tornado moving across the ramp in that location. Maybe that particular plane felt the full force of it?

For those who don't know the zone, Aeroparque (SABE) is a waterfront airport (let's say like KLGA or KJFK). Thus, there's nothing (but the terminal building) that protects aircraft from the winds that may develop over River Plate (no, not the football team but the actual river). I understand San Fernando (the airstrip mentioned there) is rather close. Ezeiza (SAEZ, the international airport) fared better, because it's inland.

This issue did not have too much coverage here, because the effects of that storm were harder in other places, casualties included. In fact, I learned about these planes you mention because my parents (who live in Colombia) told me about that.

18 hours ago, Mace said:

I wonder if this plane was chocked?  Would a plane move like that if it was?

IIRC, there was a 747 stranded in the old Athens airport, that rotated because of strong winds (and lack of engines). Maybe a similar issue?

10 hours ago, threegreen said:

Gives the name Buenos Aires a whole new meaning.

Nice one! 😂

Edited December 19, 20232 yr by Luis Hernandez

2 minutes ago, Luis Hernandez said:

For those who don't know the zone, Aeroparque (SABE) is a waterfront airport (let's say like KLGA or KJFK).

OHHHH!  I didn't catch that.  I thought this was at Ezeiza which would be really shocking.   I didn't pick up that it was at Aeroparque.   Yes I can see it blowing like that at Aeroparque.

9 hours ago, Christopher Low said:

It almost looked like there was a mini tornado moving across the ramp in that location. Maybe that particular plane felt the full force of it?

There are other videos out on the internet that show things a little more up-close.   The vid I linked was actually the worst video I found, but it was the easiest to link to.

I don't think it was isolated to that one portion of the airport.  They would call it "straight-line winds" here, rather than tornado.  Although, possibly it was a tornado -- I haven't looked into the reports enough to know.

The damage to Aerolíneas Argentinas fleet was significative. 20 aircraft had some kind of damage:

Temporal: Aerolíneas Argentinas emitió un comunicado para explicar cómo se dañaron las 20 aeronaves (lavoz.com.ar) 

Original link is in Spanish. Here's a crude translation by Google: Temporary: Aerolíneas Argentinas issued a statement to explain how the 20 aircraft were damaged (www-lavoz-com-ar.translate.goog)

But, in summary: Aerolíneas has a protocol for when there are >50 kt winds forecasted. However, TAFs for that night indicated "softer" winds. 20 aircraft were damaged. There are still 8 aircraft yet to be repaired.

 

They didn't mention which forecasts, but I looked for them. Highest gusts forecasted were 45 knots. See in spoiler:

Spoiler

TAF SABE 161700Z 1618/1718 05010KT 9999 SCT030 FEW040TCU BKN060
          TX29/1618Z TN22/1709Z
         TEMPO 1718/1722 36010KT 5000 -TSRA SCT030 FEW045CB OVC060
          BECMG 1704/1706 23020G30KT 2000 TSRA BKN005 OVC010 FEW040CB
          TEMPO 1706/1712 0800 +TSRA OVC004 FEW040CB
         BECMG 1708/1710 VRB10KT
         BECMG 1716/1718 18010KT 7000 -RA BKN008 OVC040=

TAF SABE 162300Z 1700/1724 36010KT 9999 SCT030 BKN100
         TX25/1720Z TN22/1709Z
         BECMG 1706/1708 20020G30KT 3000 TSRA BKN005 OVC010 FEW040CB
          TEMPO 1706/1712 VRB20KT 0800 +TSRA OVC004 FEW040CB
         BECMG 1708/1710 VRB10KT
         BECMG 1715/1718 07015KT 7000 RA BKN008 OVC040
         BECMG 1720/1722 18005KT 9999 NSW SCT015 SCT030=

TAF SABE 170500Z 1706/1806 20025G40KT 3500 TSRA BKN005 OVC010 FEW040CB
          TX25/1720Z TN22/1709Z
         TEMPO 1706/1712 20030G45KT 0800 +TSRA OVC004 FEW040CB
          BECMG 1712/1714 05015KT 5000 RA BKN008 OVC040
         TEMPO 1713/1718 TSRA BKN015 OVC035 FEW050CB
         BECMG 1720/1722 18005KT 9999 NSW SCT015 SCT030=

TAF AMD SABE 170845Z 1708/1806 20020G30KT 3500 TSRA BKN005 OVC010
          FEW040CB
         TX25/1720Z TN22/1709Z
         BECMG 1712/1714 05015KT 5000 RA BKN008 OVC040
         TEMPO 1713/1718 SHRA BKN015 OVC035 FEW050CB
         BECMG 1720/1722 18005KT 9999 NSW SCT015 SCT030=

TAF SABE 171100Z 1712/1812 20020G30KT 5000 -RA FEW015 OVC040
         TX25/1720Z TN20/1809Z
         TEMPO 1712/1716 3000 TSRA BKN015 OVC035 FEW050CB
         BECMG 1720/1722 18005KT 9999 NSW SCT015 SCT030
         PROB30 TEMPO 1800/1806 4000 RADZ SCT010 BKN040=

And this METAR: SPECI SABE 170647Z 21033G52KT 160V320 2000 +RA FEW017 FEW050CB 23/18 Q1000 NOSIG RMK PP999=

52-knot gusts, and all planes parked perpendicular to the wind? Ouch...

 

Edited December 20, 20232 yr by Luis Hernandez