The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) this week issued a warning to aircraft operators about the consequences of seat mechanism failures after an incident with a Sling 2 in April.
A student pilot was on their first solo in the Sling when the seat moved backwards on take-off, leaving them unable to reach the rudder pedals to maintain directional control.
The student closed the throttle and used the hand brake to bring the aircraft to a stop on the runway.
Engineers later found a defect in the system that secured the seat.
“Seat movement during take-off is a dangerous occurrence, and has been a factor in fatal accidents and other serious incidents in the past,” ATSB Director Transport Safety Stuart Macleod said.
Macleod referred back to the fatal crash of a C206 jump plane at Caboolture in 2014 as an example of the worst case scenario when a seat fails. In that accident, the seat rear rail stop was likely not fitted, and when the seat moved rearward on take-off, the pilot was unable to control the aeroplane. Five people died in the crash.
CASA released an Airworthiness Bulletin on Cessna seat mechanisms, but Macleod says owners and maintainers of all types need to heed the warning.
“While the recent incident did not involve a Cessna, the AWB is a pertinent message for operators and maintainers of all aircraft types,” he said.
“The proper fitment and good condition of aircraft seats and their adjustment mechanisms is crucial for safe operation.”