Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-18 near Lake Placid, FL — 2021-02-10

Final reportERA21LA131
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Date
2021-02-10
Location
Lake Placid, FL, USA
Airport
09FA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-18
Registration
N8183C
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to ensure that the aft seat cushion was adequately secured, which resulted in its movement, subsequent interference with the flight controls, and a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the tandem seat-equipped airplane was high while on final approach to land, so he induced a slip to lose altitude before landing. Due to the forward pitch of the airplane during the slip, the aft seat cushion slid forward and lodged between the seat frame and control stick. The pilot the applied back pressure on the control stick to flare the airplane and slow the descent, but the control stick was blocked by the aft seat cushion. The airplane continued to descend, which resulted in a hard landing and substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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