While it might seem like something out of a movie, tornadoes can indeed pick up planes. The force of a tornado is incredibly powerful, and it can lift heavy objects off the ground, including aircraft.
Here's why:
- Strong Winds: Tornadoes have extremely high wind speeds, which can easily lift objects into the air. The wind speeds can reach over 300 miles per hour, which is more than enough to lift a plane.
- Low Pressure: The low pressure inside a tornado creates an upward force that can suck objects up into the vortex. This force can be strong enough to overcome the weight of a plane.
- Size and Weight: The size and weight of the plane will play a role in whether or not it can be lifted. Smaller and lighter planes are more susceptible to being lifted by a tornado than larger and heavier planes.
Examples:
- There have been numerous instances of planes being damaged or destroyed by tornadoes.
- In 2007, a tornado lifted a small plane off the ground and threw it into a nearby field in Oklahoma.
- In 1999, a tornado destroyed a hangar at an airport in Kansas, and several planes inside were damaged or destroyed.
However, it's important to note that tornadoes are unpredictable, and the outcome of an encounter between a tornado and a plane can vary greatly.
