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Little Rock Tornado Damages Chapter 165 Hangar

EAA Chapter 165's hangar received extensive damage from an April 3 tornado.


Aircraft were strewn about N. Little Rock Airport.

April 4, 2008 — Several single-engine airplanes and a hangar owned by members of EAA Chapter 165 of Little Rock, Arkansas, were damaged Thursday night after a tornado swept through North Little Rock Municipal Airport.

"Just about every airplane tied down at the airport received damage," said EAA Chapter 165 President Jerry Homsley. "Several hangars on the field were damaged while others went unscathed. Unfortunately, our hangar was the recipient of another hangar's door."

An RV-9 being built by chapter member Vic Larocca (EAA 403895) was among the airplanes damaged. The plane received damage to its fuel cell, elevators, and an instrument panel that was found hundreds of feet away from its location in the hangar. "A DC-3 parked on the ramp was found about a quarter of a mile away in a gully," Homsley said. "It dragged several planes with it. The whole airport is filled with overturned planes and debris.

"Fortunately the National Weather Service forecasted that the tornado was approaching so everyone had time to prepare. I haven't heard of a single soul that was injured."

Several chapter members gathered on Friday to assess the damage and begin the clean-up phase. "It's sad to say the chapter hangar does not have insurance to cover the damage," Homsley said. "We've estimated about $5,000-$7,000 in total damage."