20081210855089I

(-23) Subsequent to maintenance, American airlines requested permission to conduct a high power assurance run of the left engine installed on MD-82, N255AA. Rno ground coordinated the request with Reno/Tahoe International Airport operations for aircraft direction and location. The run was authorized at the charlie loop between taxiways delta and aplha at runway 16 left. About the same time, Bellanca N8UK called rno ground from sierra air center and requested taxi instructions. In conversation with rno atct/tracon support specialist, it was determined a shift changeover occurred at rno ATC tower and during the debriefing, the impatient arriving controller was not informed of the American airlines run up activities. Rno ground cleared Bellanca N8UK to taxiway delta via taxiway charlied at runway 16 left. Reno ground did not notify Bellanca N8UK of the pending high power assurance run of the left engine installed on MD-82, N255AA. At taxiway delta, bellana N8UK entered the chalie loop and positioned within 115 yards of American airlines MD-82, N255AA, and started his before takeoff checks. In conversation, the pilot of N8UK stated he observed a maintenance crew member working MD-82, N255AA. Specifically, he stated that a crew member was standing on the ground next to the rear stairs under the tail section of the aircraft. The pilot of N8UK further stated that the American airlines crew watched him as he entered the charlie loop and positioned for his takeoff checks. The pilot of N8UK discussed performing his before takeoff checks at the hold short line of runway 16 at taxiway delta but chose the charlie loop because it would allow other aircraft to access runway 16 left at taxiway delta. Additionally, he believed that the American airline crew member positioned on the ground next ot the rear stairs was aware of his presence because the had established eye contact. Shortly there after, the high power assurance run was initiated by the American airlines flight deck maintenance crew members. The jet blast encountered during the high power assurance run lifted the left wing of Bellanca N8UK causing the right wing tip to contact the taxiway. The aircraft also contacted the taxiway with the left horizontal stabilizer. The Bellanca slid approximately two or three yards in that position and then fell back to the ground. The pilot and passenger were not hurt; however, the aircraft receive moderate damage to the left wing and horizontal stabilizer. A 1.78 epr, the American airlines flight deck maintenance crew member in the left seat position stated that he was told by the right seat crew member to throttle back. The right seat maintenance crew member stated he was informed by the "tail ground guys" over the maintenance interphones to "shut it down". Note: one tail maintenance ground crew member was positioned in the left engine cowl and was in contact with the left seat flight deck maintenance crew members via maintenance interphones. The other was standing on the ground next to the rear stairs under the tail section and was not equipped with maintenance interphones.