"xerj" wrote in message
...
What I still don't understand is how these aircraft are not overstressed,
and are able to keep control at all. I realise that this story is an
extreme example, but how about the "normal" flights? How do the planes
survive?

High winds do not necessarily mean high turbulence or high wind shear.

Of course, those characteristics *could* exist. But just because the wind
is whipping around at 160 mph, that doesn't mean you can't fly into it
without overstressing an airplane (any airplane).

A hurricane involves a wide variety of meterological phenomena, including
high winds, convection, rain, etc. My understanding is that the hurricane
pilots use radar to avoid the strongest convective areas where severe
turbulence and wind shear would be present.

There probably are areas within a hurricane that would tear any airplane
apart. Those who fly into them strive to avoid those areas.

Pete