That Time a Tornado Almost Took Out a Wing of B-1B Bombers
April 1991 Tornado Outbreak
On April 26 to April 27, 1991, multiple supercells across Oklahoma and Kansas resulted in a significant tornado outbreak. A total of 55 confirmed tornadoes touched down during this period.
The largest and most powerful of these tornadoes, an “F-5”, made its way onto McConnell Air Force Base before heading towards Andover, Kansas.
Near Miss with Nuclear-Loaded B-1 Bombers
At the time, 10 B-1 Bombers were sitting on the tarmac at McConnell Air Force Base. At least two of these bombers were loaded with nuclear warheads when the tornado came through.
In the end, the tornado narrowly avoided hitting the bombers. The tornado’s path would eventually lead to the deaths of 17 people and left 225 injured, though none of the fatalities occurred on the base.
The Power of an F-5 Tornado
To provide some perspective, an F-5 tornado is the worst kind of tornado one could encounter. They are the most powerful category of tornadoes and can have wind speeds well over 250 mph, giving little warning when they occur.
This is why the B-1s were sitting out in the open when the tornado hit—there was simply not enough time to secure them.
~NC
