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Oshkosh Air Boss - Sean Tucker and Thunderstorm
Sean Tucker and other performers scramble to land as 41-knot gusts hit the Oshkosh airshow.
Summary
During the 2011 EAA AirVenture airshow, a severe thunderstorm rapidly approached the airfield, forcing the Air Boss to cancel the performance mid-routine. Aerobatic legend Sean Tucker, caught in the air with low fuel, had to negotiate extreme wind gusts that nearly matched his aircraft's stall speed. The recording captures the tense coordination required to safely land multiple high-profile aircraft before the storm's full force arrived.
Analysis
This recording captures a high-stakes weather emergency at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the world's largest aviation event. The incident is notable because it involves some of the most skilled pilots in the industry—aerobatic champion Sean Tucker and Red Bull helicopter pilot Chuck Aaron—dealing with a rapidly deteriorating weather front. The "Air Boss," who manages the airshow's restricted airspace, is forced to terminate the show as wind gusts spike from 20 to 41 knots.
The technical challenge for Sean Tucker was immense. He was flying the "Oracle Challenger III," a highly modified, lightweight aerobatic biplane. With gusts reaching 41 knots, the wind speed was nearly equal to the aircraft's landing speed, creating a situation where the plane could literally hover or move backward relative to the ground. Tucker’s mention of having only "eight gallons of gas" highlights the urgency; he didn't have the fuel reserves to divert or loiter until the storm passed.
The coordination between the Air Boss and the pilots demonstrates peak professional competence. The Air Boss grants Tucker "the airport," an instruction that clears all other traffic and gives the pilot total autonomy to land on any surface he deems safest. Ground crews were dispatched to meet Tucker's plane upon landing to physically hold the aircraft down, preventing the light airframe from being flipped over by the wind once it stopped flying.
The event concludes with the Air Boss remarking that Tucker was "truly flying backwards," a literal description of the ground speed during his final approach. This incident is frequently cited in airshow safety seminars as a prime example of proactive decision-making and the "stop-loss" mentality required when weather moves faster than predicted.
Original ATC Communication
Plain English Translation
AIR BOSS
Sean, we've got 30-knot gusting winds. We need to call this, I think.
AIR BOSS
Sean, the wind is kicking up to 35 miles per hour in sudden bursts. I think we need to call off the performance.
SEAN TUCKER
Okay, copy that. It’s just coming through right now. Let me back this off and take a little break and see if it’ll blow through, okay?
SEAN TUCKER
Okay, I hear you. The wind is just reaching me now. Let me stop these maneuvers and take a quick breather to see if this storm passes through, alright?
AIR BOSS
Okay, but it’s blowing hard from the northeast. It’s raising such a load of dust down here that you can’t believe it.
AIR BOSS
Okay, but it’s whipping in hard from the northeast. It’s kicking up so much dust down here on the ground that you wouldn't believe how bad the visibility is.
SEAN TUCKER
I see it. The whole thing! I was just finished right now. We’re in our air here. You never get a chance to do this in real life, Boss!
SEAN TUCKER
I see it—the whole storm! I just finished my routine anyway. We’re right in the middle of it up here. You never get a chance to fly in conditions like this in the real world, Boss!
AIR BOSS
I know, but it's really blowing down here.
AIR BOSS
I understand, but the wind is getting really dangerous down here on the surface.
SEAN TUCKER
Wow. Okay.
SEAN TUCKER
Wow. Okay, I hear you.
AIR BOSS
Okay, Zippy, you need to get the—or Gino, you need to get the team in out there on the runway. Gino or Sean, we need to have you come down, I think.
AIR BOSS
Alright, Zippy—or Gino—you need to get the ground crew off the landing strip immediately. Gino or Sean, I think we need you to bring the planes in now.
SEAN TUCKER
I’m coming down, but I don’t know if I *can* come down. That’s the problem. I can fly. Go ahead, Boss. Tell the guys that we’re going to break it off because it’s too windy, but I don’t know if I can land. Give me a direction on the winds. I’ll go to Air Boss.
SEAN TUCKER
I’m trying to come down, but I don’t know if I *can* land safely. That’s the problem. I can stay airborne, but landing is the risk. Tell the guys we’re stopping because it’s too windy, but I’m not sure about the touchdown. Give me a wind direction, Boss. I'm listening.
AIR BOSS
Okay, 320 at 20, gusting to 39.
AIR BOSS
Okay, wind is coming from the northwest at 23 miles per hour, with gusts hitting 45.
SEAN TUCKER
39. Okay, I’m going to just—I’ve got eight gallons of gas. If I don't land, I won’t be able to do anything.
SEAN TUCKER
45 miles per hour. Okay, I’m going to have to try—I’ve only got eight gallons of fuel left. If I don't get on the ground now, I'm going to be out of options.
AIR BOSS
Sean, I’m just worried about you getting hung up up there. This weather right now is very unpredictable and I just don’t want you to get hung up.
AIR BOSS
Sean, I’m just worried about you getting stuck up there. This weather is totally unpredictable and I don't want you trapped in the air with no way down.
SEAN TUCKER
Yeah, okay. I see. I think what I’ve got to do, Boss, is I’ve got to land on 36, but I won’t be able to taxi.
SEAN TUCKER
Yeah, okay. I see the situation. I think what I have to do, Boss, is land on the north-facing runway, but the wind will be too strong for me to drive the plane back to the hangar.
AIR BOSS
We'll send somebody down there in vehicles to help you.
AIR BOSS
Don't worry, we'll send a team out in trucks to help you secure the plane on the runway.
ZIPPY
Yeah, we’ll get somebody down there for Sean.
ZIPPY
Yeah, we’ll get a crew down there to help Sean as soon as he's down.
AIR BOSS
Thank you. Sean, the airport is yours. The airport is yours, and we’ll send a vehicle wherever you wind up.
AIR BOSS
Thank you. Sean, the entire airfield is yours. You have priority to land anywhere, and we’ll have a vehicle meet you wherever you come to a stop.
SEAN TUCKER
I’m going to need, probably—yeah, I’ll try to—I think it’s going more down 36 than anything, so I’m going to go on that one and I’ll try to get it to where I can be Airshow Center, and they can just hold it until this passes.
SEAN TUCKER
I’m going to need to—yeah, I’ll try—it looks like the wind is blowing straight down runway 36, so I’ll head for that one. I’ll try to park right in front of the main airshow crowd area and have them hold the plane down until this storm blows over.
AIR BOSS
Okay. And like I said, it’s 320 at 20. Wait a minute, they’re updating it. I’ll give it to you right now. They’re updating it for me: 360 at 21, peak gust 40.
AIR BOSS
Okay. Like I said, the wind was coming from the northwest at 20 knots. Wait, I’m getting an update. Here it is: the wind is now coming directly from the north at 21 knots, with sudden gusts hitting 40 miles per hour.
SEAN TUCKER
Okay. Anybody on this runway?
SEAN TUCKER
Okay. Is there anyone else currently using this runway?
AIR BOSS
No, the runway is yours. The runway is yours. And Chuck, Boss, can you hear me?
AIR BOSS
No, the runway is all yours. You're clear to land. And Chuck, this is the Airshow Director, do you copy?
CHUCK AARON
Chuck's got you.
CHUCK AARON
This is Chuck, I hear you loud and clear.
AIR BOSS
Hey Chuck, bring that helicopter in. We’ve canceled the show. Chuck Aaron.
AIR BOSS
Hey Chuck, bring your helicopter back in and land. We’ve officially canceled the rest of the airshow. Chuck Aaron, do you copy?
CHUCK AARON
Roger that. I’m going to go straight back to Weeks.
CHUCK AARON
Understood. I’m heading straight back to the Weeks hangar area.
AIR BOSS
All right, sir. There’s nothing—you can go straight back to Weeks. Here again, the wind is 360 at 29, peak gust to 41.
AIR BOSS
All right, sir. You’re clear to go right back to the hangar. Just a heads up again: the wind is coming from the north at 29 knots, with gusts reaching 41 miles per hour.
CHUCK AARON
Roger that. I see it on the ground. It looks pretty wicked down there.
CHUCK AARON
Copy that. I can see the dust and debris blowing around on the ground. It looks pretty nasty down there.
PILOT
Hey Boss, Big T's flying your area, Boss.
PILOT
Hey Director, the pilot of Big T is flying in your airshow area.
AIR BOSS
All right, who else is calling the Boss?
AIR BOSS
All right, who else is trying to reach the Airshow Director?
PILOT
Yeah Jimmy, this is Brian. I called them and they’re running down there to do exactly that.
PILOT
Yeah Jimmy, it's Brian. I gave them a call and they’re heading down there right now to take care of that.
AIR BOSS
Okay. All right, there was somebody else calling the Boss. Who is it?
AIR BOSS
Okay. Someone else was trying to get through to the Director. Who was that?
BIG FORD
It's the Big Ford. I'd like to taxi down 27 to Weeks.
BIG FORD
This is the Big Ford. I’d like to drive my plane down runway 27 to get back to the Weeks hangar.
AIR BOSS
Big Ford, proceed as requested. Chuck, okay, I’ve still got you in sight, and let me know when you’re clear there, Big Ford.
AIR BOSS
Big Ford, go ahead as you asked. Chuck, I still have your helicopter in view. Big Ford, tell me when you've finished moving and are off the runway.
BIG FORD
We’ll do, and the little ones are going to be right behind me.
BIG FORD
We'll handle it, and the smaller planes will be following right behind me.
AIR BOSS
Understand. Let me know when you're clear. Sean, you’ve got people coming out to help you.
AIR BOSS
Copy that. Let me know when you've moved off the active path. Sean, there is a ground crew heading out to help you right now.
PILOT
Air Boss, Jack Glider would like to cross 18 at the north end.
PILOT
Director, the Jack Glider would like to cross the north end of the main runway.
AIR BOSS
Yeah, cross runway 18 north end. Duggy’s behind the glider.
AIR BOSS
Go ahead, cross the north end of runway 18. The plane named Duggy is right behind the glider.
SEAN TUCKER
What I’m going to try to do, Boss, if I can, I’ll get my crew to follow me in the car. We’re going to try to make it back to Weeks. Will that work?
SEAN TUCKER
Here is the plan, Boss: if I can, I'll have my team follow me in their car and we'll try to taxi all the way back to the Weeks hangar. Will that work for you?
AIR BOSS
Sean, everything you want, everything right now. Do what you need to do.
AIR BOSS
Sean, you have whatever you need, immediately. Just do what you have to do to get safe.
SEAN TUCKER
Okay, can I use the taxiway?
SEAN TUCKER
Okay, am I clear to use the side taxiway?
AIR BOSS
Affirmative.
AIR BOSS
You sure are.
PILOT
Boss, Duggy's on short of 18 right there. If Sean's coming up the taxiway, you want us down the runway?
PILOT
Boss, Duggy is waiting right at the edge of the main runway. If Sean is using the side path, do you want us to drive down the actual runway instead?
AIR BOSS
Yeah, Duggy, I’ll tell you what. You can make that left turn down the runway to reposition back down here. Go ahead and taxi down the runway. Chuck, you doing all right?
AIR BOSS
Yeah, Duggy, let's do that. You can make a left and drive right down the middle of the runway to get back down here. Go ahead and use the runway. Chuck, are you doing okay up there?
CHUCK AARON
Yeah, I've got quite a headwind, but I'm doing all right.
CHUCK AARON
Yeah, I’m fighting a pretty stiff wind right in my face, but I'm doing all right.
AIR BOSS
Okay. Duggy’s going to be taxiing down the runway, Sean’s on the taxiway. There are some people crossing 9 and 27 up there. When you get up there, just use good pilotage. Get where you need to go.
AIR BOSS
Got it. Duggy will be moving down the main runway and Sean is on the side path. There are some people crossing the intersecting runways up ahead. When you get to that area, just keep your eyes peeled and use your best judgment. Get where you need to go.
CHUCK AARON
Roger that. Got it. Thanks.
CHUCK AARON
Understood. I've got it. Thanks.
AIR BOSS
Good work, Sean. Outstanding job.
AIR BOSS
Great work, Sean. That was an outstanding job.
SEAN TUCKER
That was unusual.
SEAN TUCKER
Well, that certainly wasn't normal.
AIR BOSS
Yeah, very unusual. You were truly flying backwards.
AIR BOSS
Yeah, that's really strange. You were actually moving backwards through the air.
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