747 sitting in boneyard with no engines tries to take off one last time

  • A Boeing 747 was caught in extreme winds as it sat in a boneyard
  • And – despite having no engines – it appears to try to take off one last time
  • The amazing footage video was captured in 2012 when the area experienced usually high winds

Published on Mar 27, 2024 at 5:44 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones

Last updated on Mar 27, 2024 at 9:58 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Tom Wood

This amazing video of a Boeing 747 caught in extreme winds as it sits in a boneyard appears to show it trying to take off one last time.

From its spot in the aircraft cemetery in Mojave, California, US, the plane was seemingly waiting to be dismantled and recycled after it was grounded once and for all.

The video was captured in 2012 when the area experienced usually high winds of over 70 miles per hour and gusts of up to 100mph in a low-pressure zone.

READ MORE! The Boeing Dreamlifter is so big people are questioning the physics of take-off

Of course, without engines, the Boeing 747 wasn’t actually going anywhere.

But the amazing video by Massee Media amassed almost 5 million views on YouTube over 12 years.

With its landing flaps deployed and lack of engines, cockpit avionics, and other interior elements making the tail heavy, it appears to try to take to the skies one last time.

Surrounding planes were intact and didn’t have their landing flaps deployed, meaning they stood steady amidst the chaos.

When the winds had died down the following day, it was discovered that the plane had rotated a full 45 degrees from its original position.

It isn’t the first time we’ve seen an aircraft affected by extreme weather, with a plane on a German runway seemingly frozen to the spot as it tried to take off.

Back to Mojave and its unique geography means wind storms can whip up.

Aside from the affected aircraft, the same storm caused damage to rooftops, cut power, and sent clouds of sand and dust billowing into the sky.

However, sometimes extreme geography can bring out the best in pilots.

People were shocked after watching this video of a plane landing on the world’s shortest runway overlooking a cliff.

Similarly harsh weather conditions – like deep snow – often mean pilots have to up their game.


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Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones

London-based Amelia cut her journalistic teeth covering all things lifestyle, wellness and luxury in the UK capital. Fast-forward a decade and the experienced content creator and editor has put pen to paper for glossy magazines, busy newsrooms and coveted brands. When her OOO is on you can find her spending quality time with her young family, in the gym or exploring the city she loves.