Cessna 172 Overturned by Jet Blast from United 737 at John Wayne Airport

A dramatic general aviation incident at Southern California’s John Wayne Airport (SNA) has prompted an FAA investigation after a Cessna 172 Skyhawk overturned while taxiing, allegedly due to jet blast from a United Airlines Boeing 737.

The incident occurred on Saturday, November 7, at approximately 2:30 p.m. The single-engine aircraft, registration N57BM, was operated by the Orange County Flight Center and was taxiing behind United Airlines Flight 2611. The Cessna came to rest completely inverted on the ACI Jet ramp. The two people on board—a flight instructor and a student—escaped without injury.

The flight school said the aircraft flipped “because of a jet blast from a United or Southwest airline jet that was allowed to take off as our aircraft was leaving the ramp towards the taxiway.” Airport officials initially attributed the incident to strong winds. However, the FAA’s statement confirmed:

“A Cessna 172 was blown over while taxiing behind United Airlines Flight 2611 at John Wayne Airport.”

Video from the scene showed emergency crews using a crane to return the aircraft to an upright position.

The incident raises broader safety concerns at John Wayne Airport, where a major reconstruction project is underway. The Orange County Flight Center has warned that general aviation aircraft are being “adversely impacted” by the project. The FAA is investigating the cause of the overturn.

Source: AVweb – Cessna Overturns Behind United Jet (November 9, 2026)