Incident Sequence
A McDonnell Douglas DC-10 had landed and proceeded to the ramp area. As the pilot entered the ramp and started toward Gate 6, the green signal light changed to red, and the pilot stopped with the DC-10's tail pointed toward the parallel taxiway beside Runway 08R. The pilot was signaled to stop because the jetway had been moved out prematurely.
Just prior to this, a Cessna 140, registration N2256N, had landed on Runway 08R. The Cessna pilot was instructed to stay on the runway until abeam the Republic hangar. Instead, the Cessna pilot turned off the runway and taxied onto the parallel taxiway.
As the Cessna was crossing behind the DC-10 at night, the DC-10 pilot received a green signal to taxi into the gate. The DC-10 pilot added 35% power on one engine, and the jet blast blew the Cessna over.
Contributing Factors
Neither of the ground handlers saw the Cessna before signaling the DC-10 to move into the gate. The air traffic control controller stated that he saw the Cessna turn off the runway early, but since there was no conflicting traffic, he made two more transmissions.
Conclusion
The incident involved a DC-10 and a Cessna 140 on the ramp. The DC-10 was moving as directed when its jet blast overturned the Cessna that had taxied into the area. No injuries or damage details are specified in the source.