19990416019959I

This incident involved a student pilot, in a Cessna 152, cleared to taxi behind a DC-10. The DC-10 was subsequently cleared to taxi, and the resulting increase of thrust caused the Cessna 152 to be blown over onto one wing and the propeller. The ground control audio tape was reviewed, and compared to statements and interviews with an eye-witness and the involved parties. The evidence idicates the most likely scenario of events is as follows: Continental airlines (cala) aircraft 081 was repositioning from the maintenance hanger to the terminal. Cala 081 was pushed back onto taxiway "c" facing north. Ground control asked cala 081 if they were ready, and the response was they needed a minute or so. Cessna N94401 requested taxi, and was told to hold. An apache, N2135P, had just landed on runway 4R and was clearing the runway at taxiway "f" and turning south into taxiway "c" (behind the DC-10). The apache was cleared south on taxiway "c" and then to do a 180 degree turn and hold on the ramp to allow the Cessna N94401 to continue down taxiway "c" to "f". The Cessna, N94401, was then cleared to taxi [north on] "c" to "f" and hold short of the runway and contact the tower. Short ly thereafter, the DC-10 called ready for taxi and was cleared to taxi north on taxiway "c" to taxiway "d" and hold short of runway 4R. The pilot of the apache, observed the Cessna, N94401, taxi north on taxiway "c" and begin to turn into taxiway "f" (behind the DC-10). He stated that as the Cessna started the turn, it appeared that the thrust from the DC-10 exhaust lifted the right wing and right landing gear off the ground, pivoted the aircraft around until it faced south, then it tipped over onto the left wing and the propeller stuck the ground. After about ten seconds the engine quit and the aircraft came to rest on it's nose and left wingtip. He then called ground control. Ground control stated, "...the equipment was on the way." The DC-10 continued taxiing to the terminal. The crew were unaware of any problem until they turned 90 degrees left into taxiway "d" and were able to see the Cessna on it's nose. In summary, the crew of the DC-10 could not see the Cessna taxiing behind it; the Cessna had no idea the DC-10 would be cleared to taxi with a necessary increase in thrust; so neither were in a position to prevent this incident. Therefore, no corrective action is pl anned or initiated against the crews of either aircraft. There is no guidence in FAA order 7110.65 to avoid clearances which require small aircraft to taxi behind large turbjet aircraft.