Cessna 182M N71518 accident near Flagstaff, Arizona

Probable cause

Maintenance personnel’s decision to conduct an engine run at takeoff power in front of an active taxiway, and their failure to notify ATC, which resulted in the accident pilot’s loss of control during taxi due to an encounter with a jet blast.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the Cessna 182 reported that he had been cleared by air traffic control (ATC) to taxi to the runway for departure. During taxi down the airport’s only taxiway to the runway, the airplane encountered a jet blast from a parked CRJ 700. The airplane flipped over and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to both wings and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The operator of the CRJ 700 reported that the airplane had just undergone repairs and their mechanics were functional testing the engines at takeoff power. The mechanics did not move the airplane away from the passenger terminal and did not notify ATC of their intent to perform the engine run. After the mechanics had brought both engines to takeoff power, the Cessna 182 taxied behind the CRJ 700 and encountered the jet blast.

The Airport Planning Manual for the CRJ 700 identifies zones and distances that should be considered dangerous during engine operation. With maximum thrust set on one engine, the airplane can produce 60 mph jet blast 290 ft away from the engine. The estimated distance between the Cessna 182 and CRJ 700 was 240 ft at the time of the accident.

According to the operator of the CRJ 700, the mechanics were required to contact ATC before beginning ground engine runs. The airport manager stated that there were no policies or procedures indicating what areas of the airport were designated for high power engine runs.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR26LA122 for the full record.