GA aircraft flight crew reported during engine run-up prior to takeoff; the aircraft tail was lifted by nearby jetblast; resulting in propeller and wingtip strike on surface.
Synopsis
GA aircraft flight crew reported during engine run-up prior to takeoff; the aircraft tail was lifted by nearby jetblast; resulting in propeller and wingtip strike on surface.
Narrative
While acting as PIC of Aircraft X at ZZZ; whilst conducting a run-up on the run-up pad; we experienced what seemed to be jet blast (unsure exact cause) which pushed the airplane into a nose-up attitude; then shifted it over to the left of our original position. The RPM setting was 1700 when this incident occurred. The aircraft nose was raised abruptly into the air; causing the aircraft to feel as though it were going to tilt backwards. From there; it was pushed to the left; the nose falling into the ground and jamming the propeller into the ground. The propeller stopped its movement shortly after contact with the ground. Both ends of the propeller were bent forwards (facing away from the rest of the aircraft). After this motion; the tilting to the left caused the left wing to make contact with the ground. We continued to skid left as the nose raised upwards. There is what appears to be skin damage on the left wingtip due to the contact with the ground.Immediately after this occurred; I looked to the right of us to the C172 who was doing their run-up (aircraft tail number unknown). Their airplane was soundly sitting on the ground with no changes to their attitude. Whatever occurred only affected our aircraft.While we are not 100% certain of the exact cause of this incident; we are aware that a jet aircraft was waiting to depart runway XXR in front of our position. We were as far left on the run-up pad as we could safely go; directly behind the aircraft waiting to taxi to depart onto runway XXR.I was flying in the left seat with a friend who is rated in the same category and type. I was designated PIC for this portion of the flight. No injuries occurred; all souls onboard (two) are safe and unharmed.Ground ops came to us immediately after the incident and the aircraft was towed back to the ramp.The lesson learned from this incident is to pay close attention to parking in a spot where I will be less likely to be prop blasted by other aircraft; especially jet blast from larger aircraft.
Second reporter narrative
I was sitting in the right seat of Aircraft X when the incident occurred. I was not designated Pilot in Command; and this was not an instructional flight. The aircraft was parked in the run-up area near the approach end of XXR and taxiway 1 performing an engine run-up at 1700 RPM. The aircraft was positioned directly in line with taxiway 1.I was looking down at my leg-mounted tablet; entering a route of flight; when I felt a change in attitude. Upon looking forward out of the windscreen; I was briefly confused by what I saw; which turned out to be the nose pointed into the ground. Soon after; the propeller impacted the ground; came to a stop while grinding into the pavement; and stayed in contact with the ground for 2-6 seconds; causing both blades to bend forward. The left wing also made contact with the ground; causing superficial damage. The three points of contact with the ground were; therefore; the propeller; the left wingtip; and the nose landing gear. After the 2-6 second period; the aircraft returned to a normal state (all 3 landing gear tires in contact with the ground) with no more force than from a suboptimal landing. NO INJURIES were sustained by either occupant.Based on accounts from other witnesses; the nose of the aircraft initially rose from the ground; before returning to the ground; followed by the tail lifting and the left wingtip and propeller making contact with the pavement of the run-up area.Based on my experience and knowledge; this was seemingly caused by the jet blast from a departing jet entering runway XXR on taxiway 1. This was agreed upon by the other pilot onboard; as well as the airport operations representatives; and the owner of the aircraft as a likely cause.Once the events began to unfold; it was unlikely there was any remedial action that would have been sufficient due to the speed at which they occurred. One possible solution that I can currently devise is to position the aircraft in the run-up area in a place where jet engines would not directly be pointed at while entering a runway; and thus producing a high amount of jet blast that could cause another incident. Even this may not be sufficient in an extreme situation; but it is a step that can be taken to minimize the likelihood of another occurrence.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.