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A powerful thunderstorm swept into town on Sunday, July 5, causing damage across Olney and twisting Air Tractor’s temporary hangar on top of 16 aircraft. Photo by Will Sadler
High winds on Sunday, July 5 caused major damage at the Olney Municipal Airport, flipping this private plane. Photo by Will Sadler

Storm Causes Major Damage at Olney Airport

A powerful thunderstorm packing wind gusts in excess of 60 mph caused significant damage at Olney Municipal Airport on Sunday, July 5, collapsing a temporary aircraft hangar onto 16 Air Tractor airplanes and overturning a privately owned aircraft shortly after it landed. The storm swept through Olney with high winds that crushed the massive tempo- rary aluminum-framed hangar used by Air Tractor while construction continues on new facilities at the airport. The 131-foot-by-247-foot structure, supplied by Sunbelt Rentals, consisted of a heavy-duty fabric covering supported by an aluminum frame manufactured from extruded aluminum components produced by Olney-based Tower Extrusions. Similar temporary hangars have been used by the U.S. Air Force and other aircraft operators around the country. The collapse left the aircraft trapped beneath a tangle of twisted aluminum and fabric. An Air Tractor official said it was too early to determine the extent of damage to the airplanes because crews were waiting for Sunbelt Rentals to remove the collapsed structure before inspections could begin. Six of the aircraft had already been completed and were awaiting shipment to Air Tractor dealers, while the remaining 10 were in various stages of final assembly. The storm also overturned a privately owned Cessna shortly after its pilot parked the aircraft near the airport’s fuel pumps. According to Federal Aviation Administration records, the airplane is registered to American Sky Aviation of Plano.

Attendees at the 2026 Governor’s Small Business Summit in Graham included Jarvis Brewer, Texas Economic Development & Tourism; keynote speaker David Proctor II, CEO of Southern Bleacher Co.; William Taylor, Governor’s Small Business Assistance Tea

Young County Small Business Leaders Look to Future at Governor’s Summit in Graham

GRAHAM — Small business owners, entrepreneurs, and economic development leaders from across Young County gathered Thursday, July 9, at North Central Texas College for the 2026 Governor’s Small Business Summit. The event brought together state agencies and local leaders to discuss workforce development, business growth, and the future of rural economies.

A powerful thunderstorm swept into town on Sunday, July 5, causing damage across Olney and twisting Air Tractor’s temporary hangar on top of 16 aircraft. Photo by Will Sadler
High winds on Sunday, July 5 caused major damage at the Olney Municipal Airport, flipping this private plane. Photo by Will Sadler

Storm Causes Major Damage at Olney Airport

A powerful thunderstorm packing wind gusts in excess of 60 mph caused significant damage at Olney Municipal Airport on Sunday, July 5, collapsing a temporary aircraft hangar onto 16 Air Tractor airplanes and overturning a privately owned aircraft shortly after it landed. The storm swept through Olney with high winds that crushed the massive tempo- rary aluminum-framed hangar used by Air Tractor while construction continues on new facilities at the airport. The 131-foot-by-247-foot structure, supplied by Sunbelt Rentals, consisted of a heavy-duty fabric covering supported by an aluminum frame manufactured from extruded aluminum components produced by Olney-based Tower Extrusions. Similar temporary hangars have been used by the U.S. Air Force and other aircraft operators around the country. The collapse left the aircraft trapped beneath a tangle of twisted aluminum and fabric. An Air Tractor official said it was too early to determine the extent of damage to the airplanes because crews were waiting for Sunbelt Rentals to remove the collapsed structure before inspections could begin. Six of the aircraft had already been completed and were awaiting shipment to Air Tractor dealers, while the remaining 10 were in various stages of final assembly. The storm also overturned a privately owned Cessna shortly after its pilot parked the aircraft near the airport’s fuel pumps. According to Federal Aviation Administration records, the airplane is registered to American Sky Aviation of Plano.

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