Jet Blast Flips Small Plane at John Wayne Airport

A Cessna 172 carrying a flight instructor and a student overturned after a United Airlines Boeing 737 powered up at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California, this weekend. The small plane had recently landed and was moving behind the jet, which was preparing to depart for Chicago on United flight 2611.

The instructor said a sudden surge of air from the 737 pushed the Cessna and made it impossible to control. Surveillance video showed the aircraft lift onto its nose and left wing, move forward and roll onto its roof. The instructor and student were left suspended by their seat belts.

The student, Kunal Gawli, said the pair were frightened and unsure what was happening. Instructor Jason Ryu described losing control as the plane began tipping. Other pilots alerted air traffic control, and airport emergency crews were sent to the scene.

Neither occupant was hurt. The Cessna, which weighs 1,400 pounds, is operated by Orange County Flight Center, a flight training and aircraft rental business. The company promotes training at the airport, where student pilots encounter airline operations.

The 737 continued to Chicago and landed safely, two minutes ahead of schedule. United declined to comment. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating; an initial FAA assessment classifies the Cessna’s damage as substantial. Ryu said the frightening incident would not end his pursuit of a flying career.