On September 1, 1985, a Beech A36 (registration N1450R) was involved in an aviation accident near Mankato, MN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the tie-down rope to remain secure during engine start, which allowed the aircraft to move and collide with another parked aircraft. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft taxied into a parked plane after its tie-down rope snapped during engine start, causing damage to both aircraft.
What happened
The pilot of this aircraft attempted to start the engine twice using only the aircraft battery and a ground power unit, but these efforts were unsuccessful. Following the failed attempts, the pilot secured the tail of the aircraft with a rope to hold it in place while he started the engine.
After the engine successfully started, the tie-down rope broke. The force of the engine or movement caused the aircraft to taxi by itself away from its parked position. It collided with another aircraft that was parked a short distance away.
Probable cause
The failure of the tie-down rope to remain secure during engine start, which allowed the aircraft to move and collide with another parked aircraft.