Event WPR12CA003

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he was aware that a heavy jet aircraft had been on taxiway G all morning doing periodic engine runups. He departed on his flight and returned to the airport. After landing, the single-engine airplane was cleared by air traffic controllers to exit the runway on taxiway E and proceed to parking, which would put the aircraft crossing taxiway G behind the heavy jet. The pilot said he thought about refusing the clearance but followed it anyway. While taxiing across taxiway G, the jet blast from the heavy jet struck the airplane. The airplane initially slid sideways, then the jet blast picked up the left wing and the right wing struck the ground, which caused substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot said that he returned to the airport and, after landing, was cleared by an air traffic controller to exit the runway and to proceed to parking, which would require his airplane to cross behind a heavy jet airplane. The pilot reported that he was aware that the heavy jet airplane had been on the taxiway all morning doing periodic engine run-ups. The pilot said that he thought about refusing the clearance but did not. While taxiing across the taxiway behind the jet, a jet blast struck the airplane. The airplane initially slid sideways, then the jet blast picked up the left wing and the right wing struck the ground, which caused substantial damage to the right wing. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Attain/maintain not possible - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Identification/recognition-ATC personnel - C