On June 26, 2024, a Piper J3C-65 ‘Cub’ aircraft, registration G-BBLH, sustained damage at London Biggin Hill Airport after encountering jet blast from a Bombardier Global 6000, registration M-SFPL.
In a report, published this week, it has revealed details on the incident which underscore the importance of proper aircraft positioning to prevent such occurrences in the future.
The incident occurred as G-BBLH was taxiing along Taxiway L, situated south of an apron where M-SFPL was parked with engines running.
Unaware of the active jet, the Cub’s pilot reported that their aircraft was “aggressively” spun around by the jet efflux, leading to a loss of control and causing the left wingtip to strike the ground multiple times.
The pilot declared an emergency, shut down the engine, and, with assistance from nearby personnel, moved the aircraft away from the hazardous area.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch report noted that M-SFPL was not aligned according to yellow ground markings designed to direct engine efflux away from Taxiway L.
Additionally, the Global 6000’s crew had initiated a wing anti-ice system test, which increases engine idle thrust, potentially intensifying the jet blast.
In response to the incident, the maintenance organisation responsible for apron movements has taken safety action to remind their operations team of the requirement to align aircraft with the ground markings prior to engine start.
The findings underscore the importance of proper aircraft positioning and awareness of active engines to prevent such occurrences in the future.
The report concludes: “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 maintenance organisation publicised this event within its operations team to raise awareness of the circumstances and to highlight the importance of aligning parked aircraft with the apron ground markings before engine start.”