Cessna Overturns on John Wayne Airport Ramp

The aircraft overturned at about 2:38 p.m. on the airport’s ACI Jet ramp. Airport officials identified it as a Cessna 172 and said two people—a pilot and passenger—were aboard. They reported no injuries and said work to recover the plane safely and investigate was continuing, with no effect on other airport operations.

Accounts differed over whether anyone was inside when the plane flipped. Firefighters and airport officials were initially told the plane was parked and empty, while airport officials later said the pilot and passenger were aboard. The aircraft’s owner, Orange County Flight Center, also said a flight instructor and student were inside.

The flight center attributed the overturning to jet blast from a United or Southwest aircraft taking off as its plane moved from the ramp toward a taxiway. Airport officials said the plane was blown over by wind; they have not said jet blast caused the incident. The investigation is continuing.

The incident came a day after a Southwest flight departing John Wayne Airport for San José declared an emergency shortly after takeoff because of engine trouble. It landed safely at Los Angeles International Airport.