# NTSB NYC06CA013: Cessna 172K, N46475, West Milford, NJ, October 21, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 21, 2005, 13:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: West Milford, NJ - Coordinates: 41.128055, -74.346664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1281&lon=-74.3467&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 62706 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA013 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62706/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=62706 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA013 ## Probable cause A loss of aircraft control as a result of the installation of an improper pilot seat which moved during the takeoff roll/run.. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - other ## Analysis The pilot initiated the takeoff roll, and as the airplane accelerated, the pilot's seat slid back to its aft most limit. As a result, the airplane departed the runway, impacted bushes, and incurred substantial damage. A review of the airplane's maintenance logbooks revealed that a new set of seat rails had been installed in the airplane about 31 flight hours prior to the accident. Examination of the seat rails revealed that the inboard rail had been modified with the addition of 5 locking pin holes. The airplane was originally equipped with a single locking pin type seat; however, a dual locking pin type seat was installed. Selection of any seat position, other that the three most aft positions, resulted in partial engagement of a single locking pin, while the other locking pin rested on top of the opposite seat rail. This combination of seat and seat rails was improper. ## Factual narrative The pilot initiated the takeoff roll, and as the airplane accelerated, the pilot's seat slick back to its aft most limit. As a result, the airplane departed the runway, impacted bushes, and incurred substantial damage. A review of the airplane's maintenance logbooks revealed that a new set of seat rails had been installed in the airplane about 31 flight hours prior to the accident. Examination of the seat rails revealed that the inboard rail had been modified with the addition of 5 locking pin holes. The airplane was originally equipped with a single locking pin type seat; however, a dual locking pin type seat was installed. Selection of any seat position, other that the three most aft positions, resulted in partial engagement of a single locking pin, while the other locking pin rested on top of the opposite seat rail. This combination of seat and seat rails was improper. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N46475](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46475-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N 17257293, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172K - Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17257293 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Greenwood Lake Flight Training - Registered owner: V E C Corporation of Deleware - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 4N1, West Milford, NJ - Destination: 4N1 - Airport: 4N1, Greenwood Lake Airport, runway 06 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 80 total, 13 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20051021031539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051021031539A), Oct 21, 2005: Cessna 172K, West Milford, NJ, Destroyed. (-23) Per the pilot "I was on take off roll on runway 06 and as the airplane accelerated, my seat slid all the way back. I could not reach the pedals and at… ## Other investigations on N46475 (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 NYC71FHA44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC71FHA44), May 11, 1971: Cessna 172 (N46475), Blairstown, NJ, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 22, 2005, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=62706. 876 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 394 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40423669&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Maintenance Log Excerpt (item 2, .PDF, 217 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40423670&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Log%20Excerpt-Redacted.PDF - Cessna Examination Report (Excerpt) (item 3, .PDF, 251 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40241559&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cessna%20Examination%20Report%20(Excerpt)-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Email Regarding Cessna Examination (item 4, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40241560&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Email%20Regarding%20Cessna%20Examination-Redacted.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.