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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

April 30, 1994 · Piper PA-18-150 · N6879B

Bainbridge, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 30, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Bainbridge, GA
Aircraft
Piper PA-18-150
Tail Number
N6879B
Operator
Howell Crop Dusting
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL94LA090

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ON FINAL APPROACH TO THE PRACTICE LANDING AREA WHEN THE REAR SEAT BACK FELL FORWARD AND JAMMED THE FLIGHT CONTROL. THE STUDENT PILOT ATTEMPTED TO FREE THE CONTROLS BUT FAILED. HE CONTINUED THE APPROACH, TOUCHED DOWN IN THE LANDING AREA, AND COLLIDED WITH A STAND OF TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED BY THE PILOT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE UNSECURED REAR SEAT BACK WHICH FELL FORWARD AND JAMMED THE FLIGHT CONTROLS.

Full Narrative

On April 30, 1994, at 1415 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N6879B, collided with trees during a simulated forced landing near Bainbridge Airport in Bainbridge, Georgia. The training flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial structural damage, and the student pilot was not injured. The flight departed Bainbridge, Georgia, at 1345 hours. According to the student pilot, while on final approach to the practice landing area, the rear seat back fell forward and jammed the flight controls. Efforts by the student pilot to free the rear control failed, and the student elected to continue the approach and landing. During rollout, the airplane collided with a small stand of trees. Examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem. According to the operator, he has operated the PA-18 type airplane for eleven years and this is the first occurrence of a seat back jamming the flight controls. He further stated that the airplane was not certificated with a seat back locking device. Subsequently the operator has modified his fleet of PA-18 airplanes with seat back locking devices. The operator reported that the pilot completed and mailed a pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2; the form never arrived.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 EDT
Nearest AirportBainbridge Airport (2nm NE)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18-150
Tail NumberN6879B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHowell Crop Dusting
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-2A2 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 18 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 8 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 15000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:58
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data