Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in an unsecured seat which slipped aft on takeoff.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On May 30, 2001, at 0720 central daylight time, a Cessna 182K airplane, N201EX, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees during takeoff from a private grass airstrip near Victoria, Texas. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot reported to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, that his seat "slid back" about the time the airplane rotated. Subsequently, the airplane veered off the airstrip and struck the trees near the departure end. The firewall sustained substantial damage. The right horizontal stabilizer’s leading edge was torn and crushed aft to its spar. Both the left wing skin and fuselage skin were wrinkled.
The FAA inspector reported that the seat track pin holes were within the manufacturer's limits. The pilot stated that the installation of a safety lock on the seat track could have prevented the accident.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW01LA134