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 @shuttersparks On my first solo cross country I crossed under a thundercloud, at beyond the FAA approved distance for VFR.
The stuff in my flight bag was hitting the ceiling of the plane and then back into the seat fast enough I could not have caught it even if I'd taken my hands off the yoke to try. That doesn't qualify as severe turbulence for the FAA.
@smellsofbikes @shuttersparks Imagine how bad when a Navy fighter pilot says "it was the worst ride of my life".
@karlauerbach @smellsofbikes I believe it. Aerobatics involve high G's but it's mostly smooth changes. Plus, if you're the pilot, you know exactly what's coming. That's not the same as getting violently randomly jerked around by forces you don't control.
@shuttersparks @smellsofbikes - My (now gone) father-in-law flew several P3 Orions on hurricane penetration flights. And not all of the aircraft had gone through the upgrades to do that job.
@karlauerbach @smellsofbikes That sounds exciting and fascinating.
