Do 228-100/200
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors
Just after starting engines I was running my after start flow when I gave the command to disconnect the power cart. The ramper acknowledged with the disconnect signal. As I finished with my after start flow and called for the after start checklist; the First Officer and myself felt the airplane tug to the right. We stopped with the checklist and as we were trying to figure out what happened the aircraft once again shook. From my seat I was unable to see the cord still attached but [the First Officer] was able to see and advised me of what was going on. I tried to get the ramper's attention any way I could and as he looked back at us he realized the power cart was still attached. He came over to the aircraft; saw the damage and told us to shut down. After shut down I advised Maintenance.
While getting ready to run the after start checklist with the Captain a sudden jerk was felt by myself and [Captain]. After looking to each other for an explanation; we felt another tug and I looked out the window and saw the start cart trying to drive away with the power line trailing behind it.
DO228 flight crew reported aircraft damage at the gate resulting from the power cart not being disconnected before it was driven away from the aircraft.