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Watch an MD-80 Jet Almost Blow Away Beachgoers in St. Maarten

Nick Ellis
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Nick Ellis joined The Points Guy in 2016 as an intern and is now Reviews Editor, primarily responsible for arranging, writing (some of), editing and publishing reviews of hotels and airport lounges along with helping manage, write and edit travel content.
June 17, 2016
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1 min read
IMGMahoBeachFeatured
Watch an MD-80 Jet Almost Blow Away Beachgoers in St. Maarten
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There are plenty of reasons to visit St. Maarten — crystal clear waters, beautiful beaches, relaxed Caribbean lifestyle and...plane spotting? Yes, plane spotting. The Caribbean island holds a special place in the hearts of aviation enthusiasts everywhere because its main airport, Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is located adjacent to Maho Beach, a sun drenched beach where plane spotters can ditch the sneakers and binoculars for flip-flops and bathing suits to experience airplanes taking off from a front row seat.

In this installment of crazy aviation videos, we wanted to show you the scene at Maho Beach during a takeoff. As this InselAir MD-80 commercial aircraft begins its takeoff roll, bystanders run to the fence to experience the takeoff from about as close as they can get without stepping on the runway. As the aircraft gathers speed, the beachgoers cling to the fence — and their belongings — so they don't get blown away in the process.

Have you experienced a takeoff (or landing) in St. Maarten?