FTW97LA139

The unlatching of the front bench seat for an undetermined reason.

During the takeoff roll, the bench style front seat fell backward, and neither the flight instructor nor the student pilot could reach the controls. The tailwheel equipped airplane ground looped to the left at full throttle, and the right wing tip and right horizontal stabilizer struck the ground. An FAA inspector examined the airplane and reported that the seat adjustment pin came out of the locking hole allowing the seat to slide back to the point where it became uncaptured and rolled over. The flight instructor stated that a 'better seat latch or a positive seat retainer' could have prevented the accident.

On March 20, 1997, at 1735 central standard time, a 1949 Piper PA-16 airplane, N6883K, registered to and operated by Elmdale Airpark, Inc., under Title 14 CFR Part 91, was substantially damaged when it ground looped on takeoff roll at Elmdale Airpark in Abilene, Texas. The flight instructor and the student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the local instructional flight which was originating at the time of the accident. The flight instructor reported that, during the takeoff roll, "the bench style seat fell backward," and neither he nor the student pilot could reach the controls. The tailwheel equipped airplane made "a rapid ground loop to the left" at full throttle, and the right wing tip and right horizontal stabilizer struck the ground. An FAA inspector examined the airplane and reported that the fuselage was twisted. He further reported that "the seat adjustment pin came out of the locking hole allowing the seat to slide back to the point where it became uncaptured and it rolled over." On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), in the section entitled "Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented)," the flight instructor stated "b[u]y better seat latch or a positive seat retainer." -