# Accident 20240815011849A: Cessna 172C, Culpeper, VA, August 15, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 15, 2024, 19:15 local time
- Place: Culpeper, VA
- Airport: Culpeper Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Departure Roll
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.5302° N, 77.8560° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5302&lon=-77.8560&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8400X, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8400X) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172C (registry code 2072408, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental 0-300 series (registry code 17022, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172C
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR 0-300 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 491 total, 491 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA24LA357](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA357) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240815011849A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ACCIDENT PILOT WAS PERFORMING TAKEOFF AND LANDING ACTIVITIES. DURING HIS THIRD TAKEOFF OF THE DAY, THE ACCIDENT PILOT ADVANCED THE THROTTLE TO FULL AND THE PILOT SEAT MOVED FULLY AFT. THE SEAT CAME TO A REST AGAINST THE SEAT STOPS. THE ACCIDENT PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE CONTROLS, HOWEVER, HE WAS ABLE TO RETARD THE THROTTLE BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE RUNWAY.

THE CAUSE IS ATTRIBUTED TO AN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED PILOT’S SEAT. THE FRONT LEFT SEAT RAIL GUIDE WAS NOT ENGAGED WITH THE RAIL, AND IT POSITIONED THE SEAT TOO HIGH TO PREVENT COMPLETE ENGAGEMENT OF THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT ROD. THE SEAT WOULD LOCK, HOWEVER, WHEN ENOUGH FORCE IS APPLIED TO THE BACK OF THE SEAT THE ADJUSTMENT ROD WOULD DISENGAGE AND ALLOW MOVEMENT.

THE AIRCRAFT HAS DAMAGE TO THE PROP; FIREWALL APPEARS UNDAMAGED. THE RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER IMPACTED THE GROUND WHEN THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED INTO A DRAINAGE DITCH AT APPROX. 35 MPH. THE EMPENNAGE APPEARS TO HAVE A LATERAL TWIST; RIGHT SIDE LOW, LEFT SIDE HIGH. COMPRESSION AND TENSION DAMAGE ON THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF BOTH HORIZONTAL STABILIZERS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE REPORTED IMPACT TYPE AND SPEED. IT IS LIKELY THE EMPENNAGE BULKHEAD IS DAMAGED ALONG WITH THE STRINGERS IN THE TAIL.

THE SEAT WAS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED BY THE ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^/PILOT TO FACILITATE OTHER PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE. HE IS NOT A CERTIFICATED MECHANIC, HOWEVER, § 43.3 ALLOWS THE PILOT TO PERFORM THIS FUNCTION.

REVIEWED AIRCRAFT LOGBOOKS AND FOUND THE ANNUAL INSPECTION FOR THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE WAS CURRENT. 91.411 AND 91.413 INSPECTIONS WERE CURRENT. IT WAS DETERMINED THE AIRCRAFT MET AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA24LA357](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA357), Aug 15, 2024: Cessna 172 (N8400X), Elkwood, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to correctly reinstall the airplane’s left seat, resulting in the movement of the seat during the takeoff roll, and the subsequent loss of control and runway excursion.

## Other reports on N8400X (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19860427027019I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860427027019I), Apr 27, 1986: Cessna 172C (N8400X), Lore City, OH. Engine started misfiring inflight. Landed in a field. Water was found in left tank sump.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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