# NTSB ERA24LA357: Cessna 172, N8400X, Elkwood, VA, August 15, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 15, 2024, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Elkwood, VA - Coordinates: 38.530225, -77.856007 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5302&lon=-77.8560&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 194986 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA357 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194986/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194986 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA357 ## 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. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Equipment/furnishings: flight compartment equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022510): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022510/cases.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022510/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot completed two successful takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern and was taking off for a third time when the accident occurred. After the pilot applied takeoff power and the airplane had accelerated forward for less than 75 feet before the pilot’s seat slid back to the aftmost position. The pilot let go of the control yoke to prevent the airplane from pitching upward, but as the airplane continued to accelerate, he was unable to reach the rudder pedals and brakes. The pilot was eventually able to reach the throttle and reduced it to the idle position. The airplane subsequently departed the left side of the runway and came to rest in a ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and elevator. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the pilot’s seat was not correctly installed and that the front left seat rail guide was not engaged with the rail. This resulted in the seat being position too high and prevented complete engagement of the seat adjustment rod. When the seat was adjusted, its position would lock, but when sufficient aft force was applied to the back of the seat, the adjustment rod would disengage and allow the seat to move. The pilot stated that he previously removed and reinstalled the seat to perform preventative maintenance. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8400X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8400X), registered now, S/N 17248900, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (C) - Registry model: [Cessna 172C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172c) (registry code 2072408) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17248900 - Year built: 1961 - Airframe hours: 2617 - Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 2024, 1 hours before - Airport: CJR, Culpepper Regional Airport, runway 22, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed; last flight review May 17, 2024; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 491 total, 491 in this make and model, 491 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: CJR - METAR: KCJR 152315Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 28/17 A3006 RMK AO2 T02770172 ## 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 20240815011849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240815011849A), Aug 15, 2024: Cessna 172C, Culpeper, VA, Substantial damage. 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… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 6, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194986. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17826616&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120.1%20Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� FAA inspector statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17827317&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Inspectors%20statment%20MOR-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� pilot statement (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17842048&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20statment%20MOR-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 550 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17842038&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.