Video: Jumbo jet lifted off ground by strong winds in California - AOL Travel UK (http://travel.aol.co.uk/2012/05/28/video-passenger-jet-blown-off-the-ground-by-strong-wind-in-California/)

Its because it doesn't have the engines fitted and the CoG is to far aft.

Plus the leading edge flaps are down, allowing more lift at lower airspeed...

It appears the trailing edge flap canoes are at least partially down, but I couldn't make out the flaps themselves. If they had been removed (which is very likely), the CL would be way forward as well.

Note also the airplane behind it. You can just see the cockpit moving.

There are probably some chavs on the flight making aeroplane noises and getting excited thinking they have just taught themselves to fly!

There seemed to be some more wind-powered action elsewhere too. Looks like a demolition site so there would have been a fair amount of aluminium sheeting about. Not the place for a stroll.

The muppetesss at AOL said 'thankfully, there were no passengers on the 747' (!)

Watching the video there seems at times to be a lot of black smoke heading towards the aircraft, suggest maybe someone was doing some high power runs in front of it, only a thought.

It is in one of the desert breakers yards.

Thankfully, there were no passengers on the 747 jet as the front of the plane lifts up and down in a seesaw action in winds of over 70mph, according to news.com.au (http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/take-off-fail-as-747-jet-blows-in-the-wind/story-e6frfq80-1226369158206).

media!:ugh:

It turns out it was Rosie O'Donnell running back and forth inside.

It turns out it was Rosie O'Donnell running back and forth inside.

Waddling :E

Hadn't noticed the lack of engines....
Now know why pilots have a quick walk round before take off.
Thought it was just for a bit of fresh air!