Overturned Cessna 172 Skyhawk at John Wayne Airport is visible at the top of the above image. [Credit: Orange County Flight Center]
Key Takeaways:
A Cessna 172 Skyhawk, with an instructor and student aboard, overturned at John Wayne Airport (KSNA) due to a sudden jet blast.
The incident occurred when a United Airlines 737 powered up its engines for takeoff while the Cessna was taxiing behind it.
Both occupants were uninjured, and the extent of the Cessna's damage is currently being assessed.
An Orange County Flight Center director suggested that ongoing airport reconstruction might be jeopardizing flight safety for general aviation aircraft.
The pilot of a Cessna 172 Skyhawk said he was “struck by a sudden jet blast” that caused his aircraft to pitch forward and overturn completely at John Wayne Airport (KSNA) in California.
The incident took place Saturday at approximately 2:40 p.m. PST, according to a report shared with FLYING by the Orange County Flight Center (OCFC), which owns the C172.
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Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.
