Daring Mission: NOAA Research Plane Flies Directly Into Hurricane Milton

In a gripping display of scientific pursuit, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) research plane, affectionately dubbed ‘Miss Piggy,’ flew directly into the heart of Hurricane Milton. The Lockheed WP-3D Orion aircraft’s journey was captured on video, showcasing the extraordinary turbulence faced by the crew.

Inside the eye of the storm

The footage, released by NOAA’s Aircraft Operations Center, reveals the plane shaking violently as it encounters heavy turbulence. The video, captioned, “Bumpy ride into Hurricane #Milton on @NOAA WP-3D Orion #NOAA43 ‘Miss Piggy’ to collect data to help improve the forecast and support hurricane research,” provides a rare glimpse into the challenges of hurricane research.

A turbulent experience

The New York Post reported that at least four NOAA researchers were aboard the aircraft, including Electrical Engineer Tom Brannigan, who was stationed at the Airborne Vertical Atmospheric Profiling System (AVAPS). As the plane shook, items began to spill from a plastic bag tied to a shelf.

“Can you grab my phone real quick?” asked Programs Integration Engineer Nick Underwood, who was documenting the experience. The turbulence intensified, and objects flew off a shelf, highlighting the dangers faced by the crew.

The mission’s importance

Despite the chaos, Underwood maintained a sense of humor, joking, “When you get a chance, can you grab my wallet too? Gotta keep these pockets zipped!” As the plane eventually reached clearer skies, the team completed a critical mission.

Jonathan Shannon, Public Affairs Specialist for NOAA Aircraft Operations Center, emphasized the significance of these missions, stating, “Our NOAA WP-3D Orion aircraft have been flying into storms for almost 50 years.” He added, “We basically take a weather station to the weather,” underscoring the invaluable data collected for forecasting and research.

This daring flight into Hurricane Milton not only advances scientific understanding but also highlights the bravery and dedication of those involved in hurricane research.