Today’s windstorm caused a plane to flip over at Courtenay Airpark.
That’s according to Airpark president Ray Henault, saying he got word of the incident from the City of Courtenay in the morning.
“They reported to me through a walker on the walkway that an airplane had been flipped over the fence, lying on its back between the fence and the walkway, just across from the Whistlestop Restaurant,” said Henault.
“We have all of our aircraft that are parked outside tied down, usually they are solid tie-downs to make sure if we have a windstorm like that, that the aircraft would be secure.”
He says while the aircraft, an Challenger Ultralight, was tied down, the cords snapped, causing the plane to vibrate up and down from the winds, resulting in it being flipped.
While the extent of the damage is unknown, portions of the aircraft’s tail section were torn off, and looks to be bent significantly.
“It’s hard to tell at this point, but certainly the wings and fuse-lodge would have to be very closely inspected before any flying happens,” said Henault.
“From a pilot’s point of view, the aircraft will probably require significant repair work to get it airborne again.”
Henault adds no one was injured from this incident, with no other plane torn off from the windstorm.
Currently the aircraft is secure, with hopes to remove it from the pathway in the next day or so.
