AAIB investigation to Escapade, G-CGNV 141121
Rearward movement of pilot’s seat leading to loss of control in flight, Breighton Airfield, Selby, North Yorkshire, 14 November 2021.
Summary:
At an early stage in the takeoff G-CGNV’s pilot reported a problem with his seat. Eyewitnesses saw the aircraft climbing in an unusual attitude. Shortly after the aircraft lifted off it had significant left bank and was yawing and drifting to the right. At approximately 180 ft agl, the aircraft rolled left and departed from controlled flight, descended steeply, and struck the runway abeam the control tower. The aircraft sustained major disruption and the pilot was fatally injured.
The pilot flew with his seat set fully forward but the seat was at its rearmost position when the aircraft struck the ground. The evidence indicated that, due to misalignment, the seat adjustment pin had not been correctly located in one of the holes in the adjustment rail and therefore the seat had not been securely locked in the fully forward position. The seat adjuster backup strap, intended to prevent rearwards seat movement in case of pin failure, was not tightened. The exact cause of the misalignment of the seat pin and adjuster rail is not known.
The investigation considered it most likely that the accident resulted from the pilot’s seat sliding backward, thereby compromising his ability to maintain effective control of the aircraft.
Three Safety Recommendations were made in AAIB Special Bulletin S3/2021, published on 14 December 2021.
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Special Bulletin
A Special Bulletin was published concerning this investigation on 14 December 2021.
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