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Jet blast is the phenomenon of rapid air movement produced by the jet 
Maho Beach in
engines
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert one or more forms of energy into mechanical energy.
Available energy sources include potential energy (e.g. energy of the Earth's gravitational field as exploited in hydroelectric power gen ...
of aircraft
An aircraft ( aircraft) is a vehicle that is able to flight, fly by gaining support from the Atmosphere of Earth, air. It counters the force of gravity by using either Buoyancy, static lift or the Lift (force), dynamic lift of an airfoil, or, i ...
, particularly on or before takeoff. A large jet-engine aircraft can produce winds of up to as far away as behind it at 40% maximum rated power. Jet blast can be a hazard to people or other unsecured objects, and can reach wind speeds comparable to those of a Category 5 hurricane, causing roof failure or total collapse in buildings, and severely damaging or destroying things like mobile homes, utility buildings, and trees.
Despite the power and potentially destructive nature of jet blast, there are relatively few jet blast incidents. Due to the invisible nature of jet blast and the aerodynamic properties of light aircraft, light aircraft moving about airports are particularly vulnerable. Pilots of light aircraft frequently stay off to the side of the runway, rather than follow in the centre, to negate the effect of the blast. Occasionally, when the ground surface is badly chosen, jet blast from aircraft can rip up sections of asphalt weighing up to tens of kilograms (double-digits of pounds), damaging the aircraft.
Maho Beach in Sint Maarten
Sint Maarten () is a Countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands located in the Caribbean region of North America. With a population of 58,477 as of June 2023 on an area of , it encompasses ...
is famous for its unique proximity to the runway of Princess Juliana International Airport, allowing people to experience jet blast, a practice that is discouraged by the local authorities. A tourist was killed on 12 July 2017 when she was blown away by jet blast, which caused her head to smash into concrete. Skiathos Airport in Greece similarly allows people to experience jet blast, as its runway is located near a public road.
Propeller
A propeller (often called a screw if on a ship or an airscrew if on an aircraft) is a device with a rotating hub and radiating blades that are set at a pitch to form a helical spiral which, when rotated, exerts linear thrust upon a working flu ...
planes are also capable of generating significant rearwards winds, known as prop wash.
See also
* Maho Beach, a beach in Saint Maarten popular for experiencing jet blast * Air Moorea Flight 1121, a plane crash in 2007 that investigators suspect jet blast was a factorReferences
{{reflist Aircraft aerodynamics Aircraft engines Aviation safety Aviation risks Jet engines