Pierce is a business invitee. The airport manager testified that City wanted people to land at its airport and to do business at both the airport and in Belle Fourche. The airport parking area and tie-down ropes were offered as a convenience for the patrons. After landing, Pierce filled his airplane with gasoline, tied it down, and went to Belle Fourche. The trial court recognized that Pierce was a business invitee which is not at issue.
City owes a duty of reasonable care to business invitees and their property.
The duty includes the use of ordinary care in active operations on the property. The duty extends to fixtures, attachments and appliances used on land. Tie-down ropes are appliances. The trial court held that if there is a duty of reasonable care, the duty extends not only to the business invitee s person but also to the business invitee s personal property. City did not appeal this ruling.