United 737 Jet Blast Reportedly Flips Cessna At John Wayne Airport, But Officials Blame Wind

Published Nov 8, 2026, 2:54 AM EST Luke has over a decade of experience as a travel writer and aviation analyst. As a passionate traveler based across the Middle East and Asia, Luke offers strong insights into the industry. Based in South East Asia. A Cessna 172 Skyhawk carrying two people overturned at Orange County's John Wayne Airport (SNA) on Saturday afternoon, with air traffic control (ATC) audio indicating it may have been caught in the jet blast of a United Airlines Boeing 737. While an airport spokesperson has blamed the incident on high winds, the Cessna's operator says it occurred after a nearby jet was taking off. The single-engine aircraft — which had a flight instructor and student aboard — ended up upside down on a general aviation ramp before a crane was brought in to right it and tow it away. Fortunately, neither person was injured, although the extent of damage to the plane is not yet known. Pilot Reports Cessna Overturned After United 737 Jet Blast Credit: Travis Potter | Shutterstock The Cessna, registered as N57BM, flipped over at around 2:38 PM local time on Saturday, November 7. Although early reports suggest the incident happened on a runway, an airport spokesperson confirmed it occurred on a ramp operated by ACI Jet, a fixed-base operator (FBO) handling private and general aviation at SNA. In recordings from ATC App, a pilot of another Cessna 172 taxiing behind N57BM says that the plane "just flipped over," explaining that they wanted to go back as they "didn’t want to hit him." When the controller asks whether they are okay, the pilot responds that they had been "blasted" by a United Boeing 737 jet blast. There is no audible response from the occupants of the overturned Cessna. However, the other pilot explains that they had already shut down their engines, meaning they could no longer hear or respond to radio calls. Emergency crews arrived on the scene to find the Cessna on its roof. Both occupants were reportedly uninjured, while video footage of the recovery shows a large crane lifting the aircraft back onto its landing gear before it was towed away. The aircraft's operator, Orange County Flight Center (OCFC), attributed the incident to jet blast, although it could not confirm which aircraft was responsible. Speaking to CBS Los Angeles, the company said the Cessna had overturned following a jet blast from either "a United or Southwest jet" that was taking off as the Cessna was leaving the ramp towards the taxiway. Why Jet Blast Is So Dangerous For Light Aircraft Credit: Yi Chuan Hsueh | Shutterstock Jet blasts are a well-known hazard for light aircraft operating close to larger jets on the ground. The powerful exhaust can affect nearby aircraft even when an airliner is taxiing, with the risk increasing significantly when pilots apply more thrust for takeoff. According to Boeing, the area exposed to blasts can extend up to 400 feet behind large jets at breakaway thrust. However, at takeoff thrust, that distance can increase to as much as 1,900 feet. Similar incidents have happened at other airports. For example, on March 6 this year, a Cessna 182 taxiing for departure behind a parked SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 at Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) was flipped over by a jet blast, reportedly injuring both occupants. In September 2002, a Cessna 172 at Tucson International Airport (TUS) also had its right wing forced into the pavement after being caught in the jet blast of a United 737 beginning its takeoff roll. Planespotters have also been hurt by jet blasts before, including at Skiathos Airport in Greece, where aircraft take off unusually close to public viewing areas. In August, a 52-year-old Italian tourist sustained serious head injuries after being knocked down by a blast, while in July 2022, a 61-year-old British tourist suffered a fractured pelvis after being thrown from a ledge. Airport Blames High Winds Despite Jet Blast Credit: Angel DiBilio | Shutterstock Despite the ATC recordings, an airport spokesperson attributed Saturday's incident to high winds, and there is a precedent for this. For example, in November 2023, a Cessna 172 overturned near a taxiway during gusts of around 50 mph. Other key details about the incident remain unclear, including which flight was involved and whether the aircraft was taxiing or commencing its takeoff roll. John Wayne Airport handles a busy mix of general aviation and commercial flights. General aviation accounts for most of its flight movements, although its airline operations are also sizable, with over 11.3 million passengers handled in 2025. Southwest Airlines is the largest carrier at SNA, with more than 29% of the market, followed by American Airlines and United Airlines.