# NTSB FTW97LA139: Piper PA-16, N6883K, Abilene, TX, March 20, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 20, 1997, 17:35 local (23:35 UTC) - Place: Abilene, TX - Coordinates: 32.450046, -99.730247 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4500&lon=-99.7302&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20181 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20181/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA139 ## Probable cause The unlatching of the front bench seat for an undetermined reason. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run - fuselage,seat - unlatched (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command(cfi) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis During the takeoff roll, the bench style front seat fell backward, and neither the flight instructor nor the student pilot could reach the controls. The tailwheel equipped airplane ground looped to the left at full throttle, and the right wing tip and right horizontal stabilizer struck the ground. An FAA inspector examined the airplane and reported that the seat adjustment pin came out of the locking hole allowing the seat to slide back to the point where it became uncaptured and rolled over. The flight instructor stated that a 'better seat latch or a positive seat retainer' could have prevented the accident. ## Factual narrative On March 20, 1997, at 1735 central standard time, a 1949 Piper PA-16 airplane, N6883K, registered to and operated by Elmdale Airpark, Inc., under Title 14 CFR Part 91, was substantially damaged when it ground looped on takeoff roll at Elmdale Airpark in Abilene, Texas. The flight instructor and the student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the local instructional flight which was originating at the time of the accident. The flight instructor reported that, during the takeoff roll, "the bench style seat fell backward," and neither he nor the student pilot could reach the controls. The tailwheel equipped airplane made "a rapid ground loop to the left" at full throttle, and the right wing tip and right horizontal stabilizer struck the ground. An FAA inspector examined the airplane and reported that the fuselage was twisted. He further reported that "the seat adjustment pin came out of the locking hole allowing the seat to slide back to the point where it became uncaptured and it rolled over." On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), in the section entitled "Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented)," the flight instructor stated "b[u]y better seat latch or a positive seat retainer." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6883K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6883K), registered now, S/N 16-726 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-16 - Registry model: [Piper PA-16](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-16) (registry code 7101602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 16-726 - Airframe hours: 2373 - Engines: Lycoming O-290 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Elmdale Airpark, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 6F4 - Airport: 6F4, Elmdale Airpark, runway 35, 2,950 × 25 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 14,000 total, 35 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 19970320003779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970320003779A), Mar 20, 1997: Piper PA16, Abilene, TX, Substantial damage. Bench seatback fell rearward on takeoff roll. Full power. Ground loop ensued. Twisted fuselage. Seat latch weak. (-23) during the take off roll of this… 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.