(Video) Microburst Event at US Air Force Academy Airfield

Nobody hurt, no aircraft or ground facility damage. Why do some people (particularly on the YouTube site) think the pilots did something wrong?

I left the airfield early that day, but from what I understand there was a sailplane on tow which hit a microburst and had to release early and land off field to allow the tow plane to fly out of it. The video shown is the resulting outflow from the microburst which topped out at 55 knots.

Thanks for sharing. Impressive. Very scary situation.

The pilots did precisely what was required. Disconnect and exit the area for safety of the cadets. They just happen to be at a standstill at that time.

Some great thinking on the tow plane's pilots part. Fly the plane if it goes airborne, no matter what.

Pretty amazing!!

Looks like they got themselves some new UAVs

Bet some some air cadets needed clean underwear. Best they learn the power of wind before they're in some billion dollar airplane.

That is pretty crazy!

Saw this happen to a C150 many years ago at Scholes Field in Galveston, Texas.

Just to let me understand, were those planes _unmanned_ and unsecured? Or, were there pilots on board who had to react to the sudden microburst??

Unnecessary risk, they were lucky, you do not fly into a micro-burst. You dont get kill if you are already on the ground, very bad decision with a lucky result.

Wow, that seems like a lot of unnecessary risk.

(Duplicate Squawk Submitted)

Video: Microburst Event Video at US Air Force Academy Airfield on 4/23/2014

Look at just how dangerous microbursts can be. Always remember to be on the lookout for significant weather when flying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_WmjWAGkLI