Shocking moment aircraft flips on itself on tarmac after being blown by intense jet blast from another plane

A Cessna 172 overturned onto its roof while taxiing at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, after a nearby jet took off. The FAA confirmed the aircraft was blown over behind United Flight 2611 and is investigating the incident, which has raised questions about the effect of jet blast on smaller planes.

The Cessna was on the ACI Jet ramp at about 2.38pm on Saturday, with a flight instructor and student on board; firefighters attended, and officials said airport operations were not disrupted. The plane’s owner attributed the overturning to jet blast from a United or Southwest aircraft, while initial reports also mentioned strong winds and radio communications pointed to a possible United Boeing 737. The cause has not been determined, and airport officials are undertaking a major reconstruction and realignment project that the flight centre director said was affecting general aviation.