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C172 flight instructor reports trainees seat slipping aft as the aircraft is rotated for takeoff causing a pitch up and throttle reduction. Instructor assumes control and continues the takeoff.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 845977 |
| Time | |
| Date | 200907 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Takeoff |
| Flight Plan | None |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Pilot Seat |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Instructor Pilot Not Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Commercial Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control |
Narrative:
Seat (left seat) of pilot flying the aircraft slipped aft when the aircraft was rotated for takeoff. Aft movement of the seat while the pilot was gripping the yoke and throttle caused the aircraft to pitch-up; roll left (pilot could no longer reach the rudder pedals); and caused a throttle reduction leading to to activation of the stall warning horn. Aircraft flew off of the left side of the runway and over the grass at 1 - 2 feet AGL; stall horn sounding. Pilot not flying (a CFI) took control; leveled the aircraft; added power and continued the takeoff and climb. The flight was completed without further problems. I discussed the situation with the pilot whose seat slipped. He was non-plussed about the incident. I discussed with him the implications of checking the seat locking pins and rails. We also discussed the ad and the need to maintain aircraft control even if a seat moves!!! I believe that had this been a single-pilot flight; the aircraft would have impacted the ground or one of several parked aircraft on the ramp.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: C172 flight instructor reports trainees seat slipping aft as the aircraft is rotated for takeoff causing a pitch up and throttle reduction. Instructor assumes control and continues the takeoff.
Narrative: Seat (left seat) of pilot flying the aircraft slipped aft when the aircraft was rotated for takeoff. Aft movement of the seat while the pilot was gripping the yoke and throttle caused the aircraft to pitch-up; roll left (pilot could no longer reach the rudder pedals); and caused a throttle reduction leading to to activation of the stall warning horn. Aircraft flew off of the left side of the runway and over the grass at 1 - 2 feet AGL; stall horn sounding. Pilot not flying (a CFI) took control; leveled the aircraft; added power and continued the takeoff and climb. The flight was completed without further problems. I discussed the situation with the pilot whose seat slipped. He was non-plussed about the incident. I discussed with him the implications of checking the seat locking pins and rails. We also discussed the AD and the need to maintain aircraft control even if a seat moves!!! I believe that had this been a single-pilot flight; the aircraft would have impacted the ground or one of several parked aircraft on the ramp.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.