Don't mess with mother nature.

Severe weather was forecast at the air station where two P-3C Orions undergoing scheduled periodic maintenance were partially hangared. That is, their tails were exposed while the major portions of the aircraft were undercover.

At around noon, Condition II was set. A tornado warning accompanied the severe thunderstorm threat. A couple of hours later, the air station went to Condition I. Each time, maintenance control received immediate notification from the squadron duty office of the increasingly bad weather, yet the maintainers continued to casually secure the aircraft.

Nearing 1800, a storm producing heavy rains and winds in excess of 90 knots whipped up over the field. Maintenance personnel scrambled to secure loose gear in the hangar bay. During this period, the noses of both aircraft began to move up and down as gusts of wind pushed against their tails. The aircraft were not completely or properly tied down. Personnel shifted their attention from securing loose gear and tried to keep the aircraft in place with additional tie-down chains and chocks, but the P-3s continued to bob and move.

The tie-downs failed to restrain the aircraft as a gust of wind spun one Orion 90 degrees counter clockwise, causing it to impact the hangar doors. Shortly afterward, another gust caused the second aircraft to swing around clockwise a short distance, striking the hangar door and maintenance stands.

The hangar door windows were damaged and damage to the aircraft included a bent wing tip, a crushed rudder assembly, bent prop blade and numerous other "bruises."

Grampaw Pettibone says:

If it looks like a severe thunderstorm, sounds like a severe thunderstorm and acts like a severe thunderstorm, it's probably a severe thunderstorm! These folks had plenty of warning that ferocious weather was headed their way, yet took too much time in responding. Turns out there was inadequate written guidance for bad weather situations up and down the chain of command, particularly in the area of training.

Ole Gramps has added another nightmare to his inventory. The visions of those huge Orions spinning in place bristles the few hairs still left on his head.

What happened to common sense? When the wind blows the cradle will fail, right? Secure those birds nice and tight as soon as you can. Believe the weatherman. If he's wrong, so be it. If he's right and you don't use your noggin', better stay clear of spinning flying machines, even if they're on the ground.