McConnell airshow canceled due to weather, pyrotechnics to be detonated

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — McConnell Air Force Base announced at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday that it had to cancel the McConnell Frontiers in Flight Airshow due to weather.

“Today’s portion of the McConnell Frontiers in Flight Airshow had to be cancelled today, after a slow-moving wet microburst between 8 a.m, and 10 a.m., brought wind gusts of up to 54mph to the McConnell flightline. Because of damage to services, we are unable to execute a safe airshow,” read a news release.

According to McConnell, 10 people received minor injuries during the “wet microburst that brought heavy winds, lightning and rain to McConnell Air Force Base.” Of those 10, six of the individuals were military medical personnel, and four were civilian vendors.

“One civilian male was transported to a local hospital. Another Airman was also transported to the hospital, but has since been discharged.  All were outside on the flightline when the damaging winds occurred. Due to the timing of the inclement weather, spectators had not entered the event area,” read a news release.

The pyrotechnics planned for Sunday’s airshow were detonated by McConnell’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.

“There will be multiple detonations planned and those will sound louder than normal, with the low cloud coverage potentially reflecting the sound,” said McConnell.

McConnell apologizes for the late cancellation.

“Safety is always our first priority at McConnell, especially when it comes to hosting the public for an airshow,” concluded the news release.

The airshow at McConnell on Saturday brought over 65,000 visitors.

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