# NTSB ATL94LA090: Piper PA-18-150, N6879B, Bainbridge, GA, April 30, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1994, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Bainbridge, GA
- Location: 30.9934° N, 84.6148° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from DECATUR COUNTY INDUSTRIAL AIR PARK (BGE), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9934&lon=-84.6148&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3379
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3379/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA090

## Probable cause

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

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - misc eqpt/furnishings - not secured
- Overrun, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

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.

## Factual 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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6879B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-5065
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-2A2 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Howell, William F.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: BGE, Bainbridge Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 91 total, 70 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABY, 40 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19940430009969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940430009969A), Apr 30, 1994: Piper PA18150, Bainbridge, GA, Substantial damage. Short final tandem cub rear seat fell forward jammed yoke. Unable to free control landed long. Overran into tree.

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.

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