What happened
On October 11, 2005, at 15:45 local time, a privately operated Jodel DG 250 was taxiing at Cannes Mandelieu airport for a local flight. After contacting ground control, the pilot requested to use runway 23, but was denied because a Cessna Citation 525 was performing engine tests on that runway. The pilot subsequently proceeded to taxi toward the holding point for runway 17.
While taxiing on a taxiway parallel to runway 23, the Jodel DG 250, registered F-WMRG, passed behind the stationary Cessna Citation 525. At the time, the Cessna was positioned facing the wind and was conducting a single-engine test at takeoff power. The jet blast from the Cessna's engine caused the pilot of the Jodel DG 250 to lose control, resulting in the aircraft tipping onto its nose gear. The incident caused damage to the landing gear fairings and the propeller of the Jodel DG 250. No injuries were reported.
The investigation
The investigation examined the communications between the ground controller and both aircraft, as well as the operational procedures in place during the engine tests. Investigators noted that the Cessna Citation 525 was positioned at an unusual angle to the runway to face the wind.
Regarding the proximity of the aircraft, the two planes were approximately 58 meters apart at the moment of the incident. The investigation reviewed the maintenance manual for the Cessna Citation 525, which identifies a danger zone extending approximately 50 meters behind the engine, though the manual does not specify the engine power level associated with this diagram.
Evidence showed that the pilot of the Jodel DG 250 was wearing a headset, which masked the sound of the jet engine. The pilot also noted that the engine cowlings of the Cessna were removed, but did not observe anti-collision lights or personnel nearby, leading to the mistaken belief that the engines were inactive.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the insufficient consideration of the potential effects of jet blast during taxiing.
- The pilot of the Jodel DG 250 did not realize the Cessna was operating at high power, partly because the engine noise was obscured by his own aircraft's engine and his headset.
- The ground controller was unaware that the Cessna's engine was being tested at takeoff power.
- The positioning of the Cessna, oriented at an angle to the runway to face the wind, placed the jet blast path directly in the path of the taxiway used by the Jodel DG 250.