Incident Overview
Date: Friday 20 May 1983
Aircraft Type: Shorts 330-100
Owner/operator: Metro Airlines
Registration Number: N935MA
Location: Beaumont Municipal Airport, TX (BMT) –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Standing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0
Component Affected: Aircraft props and tires.Aircraft props and tires.
Category: Other
A Shorts 330-100 aircraft, registered N935MA, experienced a severe incident while operating on a scheduled passenger service between Beaumont Municipal Airport and Houston-George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Due to a sudden storm, the airport was closed, prompting the crew to return to Beaumont. The pilot initiated procedures to secure the aircraft, including securing props and sandbagging the tires to mitigate the impact of the approaching tornado. The tornado caused significant structural damage, including roof collapse and the aircraft’s rotation, resulting in it being moved to Bates City.A Shorts 330-100 aircraft, registered N935MA, experienced a severe incident while operating on a scheduled passenger service between Beaumont Municipal Airport and Houston-George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Due to a sudden storm, the airport was closed, prompting the crew to return to Beaumont. The pilot initiated procedures to secure the aircraft, including securing props and sandbagging the tires to mitigate the impact of the approaching tornado. The tornado caused significant structural damage, including roof collapse and the aircraft’s rotation, resulting in it being moved to Bates City.
Description
The Shorts 330-100, registered N935MA, operated on a scheduled passenger service from Beaumont Municipal Airport (BMT), Texas to Houston-George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Texas. While en route to Houston, the airport was closed in the aftermath of a storm. The flight crew decided to return to Beaumont. One of the flight crew members began securing the airplane. The props were strapped and with the darkening skies he assisted in sandbagging the tires. It soon became very dark as a result of the approaching storm. A tornado then raged over the airport. The terminal roof collapsed and the Shorts 330 was tossed upside down with both wings twisted. The aircraft was moved to Bates City where it was withdrawn from use.
Primary Cause
Severe weather conditions, specifically a tornado, caused significant structural damage to the aircraft.Severe weather conditions, specifically a tornado, caused significant structural damage to the aircraft.Share on:
