Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The single-engine pilot's failure to avoid the jet blast while taxiing and the maintenance personnel's poor judgment to perform the engine ground run with the jet's engine exhaust directed across the taxiway.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The 3,500-hour commercial pilot, who was exercising sport pilot privileges, lost control of the tailwheel-equipped airplane upon encountering the jet blast from a twin-turbofan powered corporate jet. The airplane was taxiing to the ramp upon completion of a local flight when the mishap occurred. The corporate jet was being run-up by maintenance personnel with the jet engine blast directed across the taxiway. The single-engine airplane came to rest in an upright position. The left wing spar was found to have received structural damage. The airport did not feature an operating control tower. According to the Aeronautical Information Manual, Chapter 7, paragraph 7-3-8 a, "....the flight disciplines necessary to ensure vortex avoidance during VFR operations must be exercised by the pilot." In addition, paragraph 7-3-1 states that "pilots of larger aircraft should be particularly careful to consider the effects of their "jet blast" on other aircraft....during ground operations."
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# DFW08CA008