Incident Details
On March 23, 2018, at 21:30 local time, a Piper PA-28-161, registration HB-PHD, was involved in a serious ground incident at Zurich Airport (LSZH). The single-engine light aircraft was operated under night visual flight rules (VFR) on a private flight from Bern Airport (LSZB) to Zurich.
Sequence of Events
After an uneventful flight and landing on runway 28, the pilot vacated onto taxiway J. Due to an airliner waiting on taxiway K, apron control instructed the pilot to taxi via the Inner taxiway. The Piper followed an Airbus A320 on this route. Apron control warned the pilot about jet blast from the preceding airliner. In response, the pilot decided to wait, and apron control advised that a follow-me vehicle was en route to guide the aircraft to the General Aviation Center (GAC).
The follow-me driver led the Piper via taxiways Inner and Y toward the GAC. As the aircraft passed behind the Airbus A320 at the level of taxiway K, the airliner began moving. The jet blast from the Airbus noticeably lifted the left wing of the Piper twice. The aircraft then continued taxiing to the GAC without further assistance.
Investigation
The pilot conducted a visual inspection after the incident and found no damage. A maintenance check confirmed the same. The pilot reported the occurrence to apron control immediately after the flight and also submitted an Aviation Safety Report to the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (BAZL). The follow-me driver had driven several meters beside the taxiway, providing additional distance, but underestimated the jet blast hazard. The serious incident was subsequently included by Zurich Airport in a hazard library for jet blast risks.
The Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) concluded its investigation with this summary report, noting that the Airbus A320 increased engine power at the moment when the HB-PHD was directly behind it, leading to the incident. No further investigative actions were taken.