
Shocking footage: Tourists blown away by airplane at popular beach airport
A normal day at the beach took an unexpected turn when a strong jet blast knocked down several tourists at one of the world's most famous plane-watching spots. A video from
Princess Juliana International Airport
in St Martin has gone viral, showing people losing their balance and getting thrown to the ground as a plane prepared to take off just metres away.
The incident happened at Maho Beach, a popular tourist spot known for its close-up views of planes landing and taking off. While the thrill of watching aircraft so close draws crowds every year, the video highlights the real dangers involved– something many might underestimate until it's too late.
Jet blast sends people flying into sand and sea
The video, shared on X (formerly Twitter), captures the moment an
Insel Air MD-80 aircraft
powers up for takeoff.
As the engines rev up, the jet blast hits a group of tourists standing near the airport fence. Some were waving, others filming the scene – but as the plane began to accelerate, things quickly got out of control.
Watch the video here:
Several people lost their balance and fell onto the sand, while a few were even pushed into the water. The powerful blast left many stunned. In the background, a voice can be heard saying, 'Oh my God.
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Look at that,' as others screamed, caught off guard by the sudden rush of wind.
Social media reacts strongly to viral clip
The clip was shared online with the caption: 'Insane jet blast at St Martin Airport: a tourist gets blown away by MD80 aircraft taking off.' It quickly sparked conversation around safety, hearing damage, and the risks of standing too close to such powerful aircraft.
Influencer Bryan Johnson commented on the possible health hazards, posting: '120-130 db within 100 meters, enough to cause immediate hearing damage.'
Another user pointed out, 'People also forget that the decibel scale is logarithmic, not linear.'
The video caught a lot of attention online, with many people sharing concerns about the possible long-term impact. One wrote, 'Yeah, not great for long-term hearing. The youths better listen to this.' Another added, 'My tinnitus got worse just watching this.' Worries about other dangers were also highlighted, with one tweet reading, 'Not to mention the hot exhaust and fast-moving sand.'
One post brought attention to a past incident, saying, 'I think someone died once because they were too close to the jet blast. It's dangerous.'
An iconic spot with serious warnings
Maho Beach has been a popular tourist spot for years, famous for its close-up views of planes flying low right above the beach. But the recent viral video has once again highlighted the dangers of standing too close to the runway, especially during takeoff.
While the spot is known for its exciting experiences and Instagram-worthy shots, the video serves as a reminder that getting too close to aircraft can be risky. As the clip continues to spread online, many are now urging visitors to be more cautious and not let curiosity override safety.
Thumb image: X/@NoContextHumans

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