Jakarta, ThedailyID — Severe weather may have posed additional risks to the Learjet 60 aircraft that crashed in Florida, United States, on Sunday, November 1. Reports indicated that the crew encountered moderate turbulence, icing, and precipitation before the accident.
Thunderstorms are among the most dangerous weather conditions for aircraft. They can produce powerful air movements and ice accumulation, both of which may affect flight stability.
Joseph Post, a researcher at the University of South Florida, highlighted the risks associated with thunderstorms.
“The dangers come from turbulence and icing caused by thunderstorms. Therefore, thunderstorms may be the most dangerous weather phenomenon in aviation,” Post said, as quoted by WFLA.
One major concern is the formation of ice on an aircraft’s exterior. This can happen when an aircraft passes through clouds containing supercooled water droplets.
Pilot and Jettly CEO Justin Crabble explained how the process works.
“When an aircraft flies through clouds containing extremely cold water droplets, those droplets can freeze upon contact with the aircraft’s body. Even a relatively thin layer of ice can significantly affect how an aircraft flies, as can the impact of turbulence,” Crabble told LADbible on Monday, November 2.
Ice accumulation can affect an aircraft’s aerodynamic performance. It may alter the shape of the wings, increase drag, reduce lift, and interfere with certain sensors.
Meanwhile, turbulence can cause sudden changes in an aircraft’s movement. Thunderstorms may produce powerful updrafts and downdrafts, creating unstable conditions for pilots.
However, the presence of severe weather does not automatically establish the cause of an aircraft accident. Further investigation is needed to determine whether weather conditions contributed to the Learjet 60 crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is responsible for investigating the accident and establishing its cause. Potential mechanical or structural factors must also be examined before investigators can reach a conclusion.
