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Jet Blast from Departing Airliner Overturns Taxiing Single-Engine Airplane (N49108)

San Antonio, TX, US

On April 28, 2007, a Cessna 152 (registration N49108) was involved in an aviation accident near San Antonio, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The single-engine pilot's failure to avoid the jet blast while taxiing and the ground controller's inattentiveness to the situation, which resulted in the airplane's being blown over. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine airplane was inverted by jet blast from a departing twin-turbine airliner while taxiing as instructed by ATC. The pilot and passenger exited unassisted; the right wing sustained structural damage.

Incident Overview

A single-engine airplane was blown over by the jet blast of a departing twin-turbine powered airliner while taxiing. The incident occurred after the single-engine airplane received instructions from the ATC ground controller to taxi to a parking area via a taxiway that crossed behind the waiting airliner. Simultaneously, the scheduled airliner was issued a takeoff clearance.

Sequence of Events

As the airliner powered up to enter the active runway for departure, the jet blast generated by its engines rolled the single-engine airplane over to an inverted position. The private pilot and passenger were able to exit the airplane unassisted. The airliner, unaware of what had occurred, departed the airport.

Damage

The single-engine airplane's right wing sustained structural damage as a result of the overturn.

Regulatory References

According to the Aeronautical Information Manual, chapter 7, paragraph 7-3-8 a, "...the flight disciplines necessary to ensure vortex avoidance during VFR operations must be exercised by the pilot." Additionally, FAA order 7110.65R states that ground controllers are to "Use caution when taxiing smaller aircraft/helicopters in the vicinity of larger aircraft."

Related events

Same aircraft family

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 28 Apr 2007 Cessna 152 accident near San Antonio, TX?

A single-engine airplane was inverted by jet blast from a departing twin-turbine airliner while taxiing as instructed by ATC. The pilot and passenger exited unassisted; the right wing sustained structural damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 28 Apr 2007 Cessna 152 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 28 Apr 2007 involved a Cessna 152, registration N49108, at San Antonio, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The single-engine pilot's failure to avoid the jet blast while taxiing and the ground controller's inattentiveness to the situation, which resulted in the airplane's being blown over.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20070621X00773. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.