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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

October 20, 2003 · Cessna 170 · N3979V

San Diego, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 20, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
San Diego, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 170
Tail Number
N3979V
Operator
Plus One Flyers
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX04LA020

The airplane ground looped off the runway when the pilot's seat slid aft during landing. The pilot said that when he flared for landing he heard a "click" and then his seat slid backwards about 1 foot, restricting his ability to reach the controls. The pilot tried to adjust his seat position to regain access to the airplane's controls, but the airplane entered a left ground loop and came to rest left of the runway. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined and photographed the pilot's seat. He reported that the seat track locking pin was positioned outside the seat track. He observed that the side floor deck was buckled, the seat was structurally deformed, and the seat locking pin was outside the seat rail and roller, all indicative of impact related damage. The inspector stated that he could not make a reliable determination of pin position prior to the impact damage.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which failed to determine the security of his seat, and his failure to maintain directional control.

Full Narrative

On October 19, 2003, at 1700 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 170, N3979V, veered off the runway while landing at Montgomery Field, San Diego, California. Plus One Flyers was operating the rental airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The personal flight originated at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, about 1645. The pilot told the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that as he flared for landing, the tail wheel touched the runway, and then he heard a "click." At that time the seat slid backwards about 1 foot, restricting his ability to reach the controls. The pilot tried to adjust his seated position to regain access to the airplane's controls, but the airplane entered a ground loop to the left and came to rest left of the runway. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined and photographed the pilot's seat. He reported that the seat track locking pin was positioned outside the seat track. Examination of the photographs of the pilot's seat and rail showed that the side floor deck was buckled, the seat was structurally deformed, and the seat locking pin was positioned outside the seat rail and roller.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 PDT
Nearest AirportMontgomery Field (0nm)
Runway28
Runway Length4577 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 170
Tail NumberN3979V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPlus One Flyers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-145 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind340° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time00:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data