Tourists at Maho Beach Face Dangers from Jet Blast at St Martin Airport

A viral video on X captures tourists at Maho Beach in Sint Maarten being knocked off their feet by the powerful jet blast of a departing Insel Air MD-80 aircraft from the nearby Princess Juliana International Airport. The dramatic footage underscores the real dangers of standing too close to the runway, despite the beach’s global fame among plane spotters. The clip has reignited online debates over safety concerns, including risks of physical injury and potential hearing damage.

The airport, also known as St Martin Airport, is renowned for its unique aircraft spotting opportunities. Many tourists visit Maho Beach to photograph planes flying at low altitudes. However, a recent video serves as a reminder of the potential dangers.

The video, shared on X (formerly Twitter), captures an Insel Air MD 80 aircraft taking off. Tourists on the adjacent beach were seen waving at the aircraft. Some individuals were standing close to the fenced airfield.

The sound from the aircraft made it difficult to stand so close. As the aircraft prepared for takeoff, the wind from the jet blast impacted those standing nearby.

Several people lost their balance and fell on the sand. Some were seen tumbling and rolling into the water. The video concludes with people being pushed back into the water by the strong wind.

"Oh my God. Look at that," a person can be heard saying in the video. Many people also screamed as they recorded the moment.

The video was captioned, "Insane jet blast at St Martin Airport: a tourist gets blown away by MD80 aircraft taking off." It quickly sparked safety concerns online. Tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson noted, "120-130 db within 100 meters, enough to cause immediate hearing damage." Others chimed in, reminding people that jet noise isn’t just loud—it’s dangerously loud.

One user remarked, “My tinnitus got worse just watching this.” Another added, “Not to mention the hot exhaust and fast-moving sand.” Some even recalled past accidents, with a chilling reminder: “I think someone died once because they were too close to the jet blast. It's dangerous.”

While Maho Beach remains a must-visit for aviation enthusiasts, this viral moment is a stark reminder—when thrill meets turbulence, it’s better to stand back and stay safe.