Wow, yeah, this can happen. In and near thunderstorms updrafts and downdrafts can well exceed 100 miles per hour. If you fly into one, the plane is almost instantly accelerated up or down, 0 to 100 MPH. This can slam you into the ceiling.
As a sailplane pilot, we actively seek updrafts and use them to gain altitude. It can get pretty rough (and fun) but you always have a seatbelt on tight. Commercial planes try their best to avoid these things but occasionally get caught.
https://www.khon2.com/local-news/mass-casualty-emergency-at-honolulu-airport-36-patients-treated/
@shuttersparks I have a friend. He and his father (a former US Navy fighter pilot) accidentally entered an embedded T-storm in their single engine. Said it was the roughest ride they ever had. Popped some rivets out of a wing.
@karlauerbach Yes it will. It's violent. Singles are usually limited to about 2 Gs. Sailplanes are built for much higher G forces (which I make full use of. Lol.)
@shuttersparks I am not going up with you for a ride.
(There's a couple around here who own an open seater acrobatic craft. They take up unsuspecting "friends" who sometimes "decorate" their seat when they put the plane through its paces.)
@karlauerbach Hahaha. All in good fun. If you're going to really wring it out up there, the plane has to be built for it.
