What happened
The pilot of a single-engine aircraft was operating at an airport where a heavy McDonnell Douglas MD-11 jetliner was also present. The MD-11 had been cleared to use the same runway that the smaller airplane was authorized to cross. As the single-engine aircraft approached the runway, the pilot received a specific caution regarding wake turbulence generated by the departing jet.
Despite this warning, the MD-11 applied takeoff power while the single-engine aircraft was still in the process of crossing behind it. The intense jet blast from the departing airliner struck the smaller airplane, physically lifting it off the ground. This sudden aerodynamic disturbance caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft.
The investigation
The incident involved a heavy commercial jetliner and a single-engine general aviation aircraft. The primary mechanical factor was the interaction between the two aircraft during a runway crossing maneuver. The MD-11's takeoff thrust created significant wake turbulence that directly affected the stability of the smaller plane.
Findings
The loss of control was directly attributed to the wake turbulence from the heavy MD-11. The pilot had been cautioned about this specific hazard, but the timing of the jetliner's takeoff power application while the single-engine aircraft was still on the runway proved critical. Wake turbulence remains a significant hazard when smaller aircraft cross behind larger jets during takeoff roll.
Safety message
Pilots of smaller aircraft must remain vigilant for wake turbulence when crossing runways used by heavy aircraft. Even with explicit warnings, the sudden application of takeoff power by a departing jet can create dangerous conditions that may lead to a loss of control.