The flight instructor reported that during the taxi for takeoff in a non-movement area at the airport in Opa-Locka, Florida, he and his student noticed a large multi-radial-engine airplane near their intended taxi route.
The instructor told the student to deviate from the painted taxiway yellow line to provide for additional distance away from the prop wash behind the larger airplane.
As their taxi continued behind the other airplane, the Cessna 172 started “violently shaking,” the right wing lifted, and the left wing hit the taxiway surface.
The nose also tipped forward, which resulted in the propeller striking the ground.
The flight instructor shut off the engine, however, he estimated the airplane was pushed by the propeller blast an additional 100 feet further until eventually stopping upright on all three landing gear. The left wing sustained substantial damage.
According to the pilot of the larger airplane, there had been delays for departure clearances and he had positioned his airplane into the wind while waiting, which resulted in the tail and the engines propeller blast oriented towards the taxiway the accident airplane taxied through.
He stated that at the time that the event occurred, his airplane was at flight idle, and he was not performing a run-up. He did not know anything had happened to the accident airplane, until he heard of a propeller strike announced over the radio.
Probable Cause: The flight instructor’s decision to taxi behind a large multi-engine airplane, which resulted in an encounter with propeller blast and a loss of airplane control on the ground.
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This January 2023 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
So… stop and wait for the larger aircraft to exit before continuing taxi? What are the rules here? Are there any FARs regarding, or is this a no brainer? Flight student here.
I remember a long time ago. I was on maintenance stand behind #3 engine of a C-130 leak checking a hydraulic pump. I had told the engine run fellow not to go above ground idle. I was on head set and he took the engine to flight idle!!!I wrapped My arms around the guard rail to keep myself from being blown off the stand. My feet and legs were flying in the blast..He finally looked out the cockpit right window and cut off the engine. My tools and bag was scattered All over the ramp!! I gave him a harsh talking to… Wind behind a turning propeller at power is very powerful on a large 4 engine Acft
Mitch still alive at 82 years old…
Not the first small airplane to be damaged by prop blast or jet blast from a larger airplane. Any time the larger airplane’s engines are running, taxiing behind it is likely to be a mistake.
And that’s also true when taxiing near a hovering or slow moving helicopter. The downwash from even a relatively small helicopter is extraordinarily powerful.
I’m glad I read this story. I keep trying to learn a little something here and there, and this was helpful–watch out for prop blast of an aircraft, even at idle.