NTSB Factual Report

On April 10, 2004, at 1524 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman AA-5B, N74270, encountered jet blast from a large executive jet transport airplane while taxing to the ramp after landing at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, San Jose, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The personal cross-country flight departed Columbia Airport, Columbia, California, about 1435.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he made an uneventful landing and taxied off the runway. He established communications with ground control, and was cleared to taxi to his requested destination via taxiway Victor. While taxiing, the airplane approached the San Jose Jet Center, where a Bombardier BD-700 Global Express, N949GP, was parked with its tail toward the taxiway. The Global Express' engines began to spool up, resulting in a jet blast toward the right side of the Grumman. The Grumman swerved uncontrollably, and the left axle sheared off. The Grumman incurred damage to the left outboard wing panel and the left side of the fuselage.

Federal Aviation Administration Order 7110.65, Air Traffic Control, specifies procedures and practices to be used by air traffic control personnel. Section 2-1-20 (b) advises controllers to "Issue cautionary information to any aircraft if in your opinion, wake turbulence may have an adverse effect on it." Section 2-1-20 (note) specifies that "Although not mandatory during ground operations, controllers may use the words jet blast, propwash, or rotorwash, in lieu of wake turbulence, when issuing a cautionary advisory."

A National Transportation Safety Board investigator reviewed transcripts of radio communications between San Jose airport's ground controller and the pilots of both the Grumman and Global Express. At 1523:19, the ground controller cleared the Grumman to taxi to parking. At 1523:50, the ground controller cleared the Global Express to taxi behind the Grumman. At 1524:24, the Global Express called the ground controller indicating that the Grumman had lost control. At 1524:27, the Grumman announced that he experienced jet blast from the Global Express, and had not realized the jet was spooling up.

The Global Express was parked about 100 yards to the east of the tower, with nothing impeding line of sight between the two. The San Jose Jet Center ramp, where the Global Express was parked, is considered a nonmovement area.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's encounter with jet blast effects. Factors in the accident were the pilots' inadequate situational awareness of the potential for the jet blast encounter after hearing the Global Express airplane on the frequency call ready for taxi, and, the ground controller's failure to issue a safety advisory.