Small plane suddenly flips upside down while taxiing at California airport

A small Cessna 172 airplane suddenly flipped upside down at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California, on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at approximately 2:30 p.m. The incident occurred as the aircraft was taxiing behind United Airlines Flight 2611, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Dramatic footage captured the moment the light aircraft overturned on the airport pavement.Two people were aboard the Cessna: a flight instructor and a student pilot from Orange County Flight Center. Both escaped without injuries. Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene, and airport officials reported no disruption to other airport operations.Investigators are examining whether a jet blast from a nearby United Airlines Boeing 737 caused the accident. Jet blast is the powerful stream of air expelled by an aircraft's engines, which can pose a serious hazard to smaller aircraft nearby. The Cessna's operator attributed the incident to the larger aircraft's engine exhaust, while the FAA confirmed that the plane overturned behind United Flight 2611 and opened an investigation.Orange County Flight Center also raised concerns about ongoing airport construction and changes to ground operations that could affect smaller aircraft. Although jet blast is the leading explanation reported by the aircraft's operator, the FAA's investigation will determine the circumstances surrounding the accident.