Microburst causes planes to takeoff by themselves - video

[Frank S]

Without the 4 turbo fan jet engines or fuel, the airframe is quite a bit lighter. The interior seating might also have been removed.

You are correct we don't know how many parts or whole systems may have been removed, for all we know it may be a completely gutted air frame but even at that there is still a significant amount of weight remaining. Here is the source of the clip, he says there were gusts of up to 100 MPH.

Read the comments section the old girl just wants to fly 1 last time

[mwmkravchenko]

I'm not so sure that this isn't a fake video. There are to many other objects that are nearby that should be moving around to if the wind is strong enough to lift this mighty machine.

[Hoosiersmoker]

Likely just the shell left. Instruments and controls all removed. Seating, interior panels etc. Nothing but an aluminum shell. Might want to look into anchoring that beast to the ground!

[Toolmaker51]

I like this one too. HUGE headwind, but it shows how much headwind reduces necessary landing distance.

Airspeed is airspeed. Whether you are moving or not.

[Frank S]

Airspeed is airspeed. Whether you are moving or not.

Yep; ever see a guy in a small plane misjudge the direction of the wind sock and try to take off in a Piper cub with 30 MPH cross wind gusts NOT Pretty.

[Jon]

[jackhoying]

I bet that didn't end well

[dagrizz]

I managed to land a Cessna 182RG at Tucson during a series of m-bursts; first pass was a chicken run (never touched down, missed approach), second pass like a Globetrotters' game, but managed to stay grounded after two bounces. Needless to say, I waited for sunshine & clean britches before leaving.