Cessna 172 Overturned by Suspected United 737 Jet Blast at John Wayne Airport
A frightening incident at John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana, California, is under federal investigation after a Cessna 172 Skyhawk was flipped upside down on the ramp. The aircraft was apparently struck by jet blast from a United Airlines Boeing 737 on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Cessna 172, registration N57BM, was taxiing behind United Airlines Flight 2611 at around 2:30 p.m. when it was blown over. Two people were aboard: a flight instructor and a student from Orange County Flight Center (OCFC). Neither was injured.
Airport officials initially attributed the incident to strong winds. However, air traffic control radio communications and subsequent FAA statements pointed to jet blast from the larger airliner as the likely cause. The OCFC director said the Cessna was swept over by the departing aircraft’s exhaust as it entered a taxiway.
A large crane was needed to right the overturned Cessna before it could be towed away.
OCFC officials also raised broader safety concerns, saying an ongoing reconstruction and realignment project at John Wayne Airport is adversely affecting general aviation operations and may be jeopardizing flight safety. The FAA has confirmed that it will investigate the incident.
Source: Aviation A2Z – United 737 Jet Blast Suspected After Cessna Flips Upside Down at John Wayne Airport