CHI96LA150

The student pilot was taxiing for takeoff when he saw a large twin-engine turboprop airplane sitting on a runup pad next to the taxiway he was using. He said he stopped before passing behind the turboprop airplane and observed the propellers turning slowly. The pilot said he taxied behind the airplane and heard an increase in engine power. He said he tried to get past the area where his airplane was experiencing the other airplane's propwash, but was unable to do so. As he turned onto the taxiway leading to the active runway, his airplane was blown over. The pilot did not make contact with the pilot of the turboprop airplane before taxiing behind it.

On May 4, 1996, at 1530 central daylight time, a Cessna 152, N93844, piloted by a student pilot, was substantially damaged when it was blown over as it passed behind a twin-engine turboprop airplane doing a runup. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional solo flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries.

The student pilot (pilot) stated he had been taxiing west on the parallel taxiway to runway 08 at the Anoka County Airport, Blaine, Minnesota, when he saw the turboprop airplane. The pilot said the airplane was sitting on a runup pad next to the taxiway. Its tail, according to the pilot, was facing toward the taxiway at an approximate 45 degree angle. He said he stopped before passing behind the airplane to see what it was doing. According to the pilot, the airplane was sitting on the runup pad with its engines idling. He was asked how he knew this. The pilot explained he could see the propeller blades moving very slowly.

After deciding the turboprop airplane's engines were running slowly, the pilot said he continued his taxi for takeoff. The pilot said he heard the turboprop airplane's engines increase their speed as he passed behind the airplane. The pilot said when he heard the engines increase their power he tried to get out of the propwash. As he was turning onto the portion of the taxiway leading to runway 8's takeoff end, his airplane was blown over.

During an interview with the accident airplane's operator it was revealed that the pilot told him that he had not attempted to make eye or radio contact with the pilot of the turboprop airplane. N93844 was about 150 feet behind the turboprop airplane when the propwash encounter took place, according to the operator.