Storm Chaos: Plane Takes Unplanned 'Flight' in 100mph Winds, Collides with Staircase"

In a dramatic turn of events, severe storms wreaked havoc at Argentina’s Aeroparque Jorge Newbery airport in Buenos Aires on Sunday, subjecting a 17-year-old Aerolineas Argentinas Boeing 737-700 to the force of 100mph winds. The powerful gusts propelled the aircraft across the runway, causing it to collide with a passenger staircase and ultimately toppling the plane onto its side, as per the local reports.

Argentinian flight affected by severe storm

The undated short video circulating on the social media platform of the incident revealed the plane’s wing section striking a building on the runway during the tumultuous incident. The damage sustained by the aircraft registered as LV-CAD, led to the cancellation of its scheduled flight to Mendoza Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport on Sunday morning, as repairs were deemed necessary.

The impact of the storm on airport operations was acknowledged by Aerolineas Argentinas in a statement, disclosing the cancellation of 100 flights and numerous delays and rescheduling. The possibility of further modifications or cancellations throughout the day was expressed by the airline due to the lingering effects of the storm and intermittent airport closures prompted by electrical activity.

The storm, which proved deadly across Argentina and neighbouring Uruguay, claimed at least 16 lives. In Uruguay, two individuals lost their lives to strong wind gusts from the southeast, according the local reports. Meanwhile, in Argentina, casualties included a woman struck by a falling tree branch in Moreno and thirteen others who tragically perished when a wall collapsed in Bahia Blanca during the storm.

The severity of the situation was underscored by President Javier Milei during his visit to the accident site on Sunday. The storm’s ferocious winds not only impacted air travel but also downed trees and lamp posts throughout the capital, Buenos Aires, adding to the extensive damage caused by this unprecedented weather event.