Jet blast of MD-80 blows tourists on beach away as plane takes off at one of world's most challenging airports
Published on Feb 24, 2026 at 9:10 AM (UTC+4)
by Molly Davidson
Last updated on Feb 24, 2026 at 9:13 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Tourists gather at Maho Beach to watch planes take off just a few steps away.
It’s one of the most famous plane-spotting locations in the world.
But when the engines power up, the blast is far stronger than most people expect.
That’s what happened when a McDonnell Douglas MD-80 lined up for departure and sent sand, towels, and tourists flying.
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An MD-80 jet blast sends tourists flying at Maho Beach
In a video shared by Planespotting with Kai, the MD-80 lines up for takeoff while a group of people stands against the fence.
When the pilot increased the power, the engines blasted hot air straight toward the beach.
Within seconds, sand was flying everywhere.
Towels and loose items tumbled across the shore.
Some people bent their knees and leaned forward to stay upright.
Others lost their balance and stumbled backward as the force hit them.
It’s not just any old gust of wind, either.
Each engine on an MD-80 produces roughly 18,500 to 21,000lb of thrust at takeoff.
With two engines mounted at the rear of the aircraft, that’s a huge amount of force pushing air directly behind the plane.
When that power is unleashed, it creates a high-speed stream of exhaust strong enough to lift sand and shove against your legs with surprising strength.
Plenty of viewers found the clip hilarious.
However, others pointed out that there are clear warning signs telling people not to stand there.
Aviation safety teams usually keep a strict distance from jet blast areas because the exhaust can cause injuries.
At Maho Beach, though, the risk is part of the attraction.
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Sint Maarten’s runway keeps going viral
The island of Sint Maarten has a relatively short runway for commercial jets.
Because of that, pilots often need strong engine power during takeoff.
That means louder noise, stronger thrust, and bigger blasts of air.
Combined with the beach setting, it creates dramatic scenes that spread quickly online.
From large wide-body jets to smaller regional planes, the formula is the same: engines up, sand everywhere, tourists holding on.
It might look extreme, but it’s also a reminder of how powerful aircraft really are.
At Maho Beach, the warning sign is clear.
Still, as long as planes take off just steps from the shoreline, people will keep lining up to feel the blast.
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With roles at TEXT Journal, Bowen Street Press, Onya Magazine, and Swine Magazine on her CV, Molly joined Supercar Blondie in June 2025 as a Junior Content Writer. Having experience across copyediting, proofreading, reference checking, and production, she brings accuracy, clarity, and audience focus to her stories spanning automotive, tech, and lifestyle news.
