The U.S. Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the “Hurricane Hunters,” had to abort their mission on Tuesday (October 28) due to severe turbulence while flying into the eye of Hurricane Melissa. The squadron, operating out of Curacao, encountered “forces stronger than normal,” prompting a return for safety inspections before resuming operations.
The mission was part of efforts to gather crucial data on Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with maximum winds reaching 185 mph. The turbulence was so intense that the aircraft, flying under the callsign TEAL 75, exceeded stress limits, necessitating an inspection before continuing the mission.
Similarly, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) WP-3D Orion, known as Kermit, faced similar challenges on Monday (October 27). The aircraft recorded wind speeds of 165 mph before severe turbulence forced the crew to abort the mission and return to Lakeland, Florida, for inspection and maintenance. The plane was able to resume its mission later that day, as reported by The New York Times.
Hurricane Melissa battered Jamaica, causing massive damage across the island. The storm has since been downgraded to a Category 3 storm and is now thrashing Cuba with high winds and flooding rains.
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