Plane Spun Wildly and Damaged by Jet Blast at Biggin Hill Airport
Jet Blast Chaos on Taxiway
An aircraft was violently spun around and damaged at Biggin Hill Airport after being caught in a powerful jet blast. The incident happened on June 26, 2024, when a vintage Piper J3C-65 ‘Cub’ (G-BBLH) was taxiing along Taxiway L. Suddenly, it was slammed by the jet efflux from a Bombardier Global 6000 (M-SFPL), causing the small plane to spin out of control. The left wingtip hit the ground multiple times amid the chaos.
The pilot quickly declared an emergency, shut down the engine, and was helped away from the danger zone by nearby personnel.
What Went Wrong? AAIB Reveals Alarming Oversight
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report, released this week, laid bare the cause. The bigger Bombardier jet was improperly aligned, ignoring yellow ground markings designed to direct jet blasts away from Taxiway L.
- M-SFPL was parked perpendicular to the apron edge, not in line with safety markings.
- The Bombardier crew conducted a wing anti-ice system test, which cranked up engine idle thrust and intensified the jet blast.
Safety Overhaul Started After Near Disaster
In response, the apron’s maintenance organisation has taken swift action:
- Reinforced the vital need to align aircraft properly with ground markings before engine start.
- Publicised the incident internally to boost awareness of safety protocols during apron movements.
Lessons From The Edge
“The conditions for this accident were created when M-SFPL was parked perpendicular to the apron edge for engine start rather than in alignment with yellow ground markings.”
“Had any of the pilots involved been aware of the risk posed at that time to G-BBLH by M-SFPL’s jet efflux, the confliction could likely have been avoided by mutual coordination over the radio.”
The AAIB warned that clear communication and strict adherence to positioning rules are critical to avoiding such hazards. Aviation safety officials are now closely monitoring airport operations to prevent a repeat of this near-miss.
