What happened
While en route, the pilot contacted Palm Beach Approach Control to obtain flight following. The pilot reported being located 20 miles north of the facility and expressed an intention to proceed southbound along the coastline. The air traffic controller acknowledged the request and advised the pilot to remain in visual flight rules (VFR) conditions. Although the controller did not assign a specific altitude, they queried whether the pilot intended to remain below 1,000 feet.
In response, the pilot descended from an altitude of 1,500 feet to 700 feet and continued the flight. Subsequently, the controller provided traffic information regarding a heavy jet located at the pilot's one o'clock position, approximately 1.5 miles away, heading westbound. Approximately one minute later, the pilot of N120DG reported that he had just encountered wake turbulence from the heavy jet.
The pilot continued to his intended destination without further incident. After landing, the passenger, who had sustained minor injuries, was transported to a hospital where he received treatment and was subsequently released. The pilot then flew the aircraft back to Daytona. A post-flight inspection revealed substantial damage to the airplane, which included wrinkled wing skin, popped rivets, and deformation of the firewall.