Bücker BU 131 Overturned at Valencia Airport Due to Jet Blast (RA-82044)

Incident Overview and Location On 11 February 2007, at 11:43 UTC, a Bücker BU 131, registration EC-GCE, was taxiing on taxiway J at Valencia Airport (Manises) when it was struck by the jet blast of an Antonov AN-124-100, registration RA-82044, which was parked at stand 26 with its engines running. The Bücker was taxiing from the general aviation apron 2 toward runway 30 for departure. ## Aircraft and Occupants The Bücker BU 131 was a private aircraft with a single ENMASA TIGRE G-IV A2 engine. It carried two occupants: the pilot and one passenger. The Antonov AN-124-100 was operated by Volga-Dnepr Airline and was configured for a commercial international cargo flight. The Antonov had 16 people on board. ## Sequence of Events The Bücker pilot reported that he was taxiing behind the Antonov when he was surprised by the jet blast from engines 1 and 2. The right wing of the Bücker lifted suddenly, the left wing struck the ground, and the aircraft pivoted. The tail then lifted, and the propeller impacted the ground, causing the aircraft to overturn. The Bücker came to rest inverted and in the opposite direction to its taxi path. ## Injuries and Damage Both occupants of the Bücker were uninjured and exited the aircraft under their own power. The Bücker sustained significant damage. The Antonov sustained no damage. ## Meteorological Conditions At the time of the incident, the wind was from 290° at 14 knots with gusts up to 23 knots. Visibility was 10 km or greater, with scattered clouds at 4,000 and 9,000 feet and broken clouds at 20,000 feet. The temperature was 20°C and the dew point was 11°C. ## Investigation and Aftermath The accident occurred in a blind spot of the apron, with no direct view from the control tower. The Antonov crew was instructed by air traffic control to shut down its engines, and its departure was delayed until the Bücker was removed. The incident was approved for publication on 19 November 2008.