Incident Overview
The airplane collided with a cargo container dolly while taxiing in the ramp area. Shortly after landing, the air traffic control tower ground controller instructed the pilot to follow a DC-10 to the south cargo ramp area. The pilot complied and followed the DC-10 south along the taxiway on the eastern side of the ramp.
Sequence of Events
The DC-10 stopped, and the pilot assumed that the crew was awaiting parking assistance. The pilot then attempted to maneuver the airplane in a right turn, toward the middle of the ramp, and around the DC-10. During the right turn, the airplane's right main gear collided with a short, square steel cargo container dolly.
Pilot Statements
The pilot stated that the eastern taxiway he was following does not conveniently facilitate access to the loading or unloading area used by his company. He added that regardless of the position of the DC-10, he would have made a right turn to proceed on a more direct course to his loading area. The pilot had maneuvered approximately 170 feet west of the easterly taxiway to avoid the FedEx airplane when the airplane collided with the cargo container dolly.