# NTSB WPR26LA102: Cessna 172M, N4464R, Nampa, ID, February 5, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 5, 2026, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Nampa, ID - Coordinates: 43.58113, -116.523 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5811&lon=-116.5230&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 July 1, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA Boise FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 202417 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA102 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202417/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202417 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA102 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to verify that the seat locking pins were fully engaged before takeoff, which allowed the seat to slide aft during the takeoff roll and resulted in a loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incomplete action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 105 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 59 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting a personal proficiency flight in a rented airplane to practice right-seat operations. During the takeoff roll, after application of full engine power, the right seat slid aft along the seat track to the full rearward position. The pilot was unable to reach the rudder pedals and lost directional control of the airplane. The airplane exited the left side of runway, crossed the grass infield, and impacted a hangar, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. The pilot stated that he positioned the seat fully forward before takeoff and confirmed engagement of the locking mechanism by rocking the seat. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the seat assembly and seat rails operated as designed, with no mechanical anomalies. It was noted that when the seat was placed full forward against the seat stop, the locking pins could partially align with the forward engagement holes or could contact the seat stop mounting screw. In such cases, the locking pins may feel or appear engaged, thus giving the impression that the seat is locked in place. Examination of the forward seat stop revealed that the mounting screws installed were not the screws specified in the aircraft maintenance manual. However, the installed screw's head shape was similar to that of the specified screw. It could not be determined whether the installed screw affected the function of the seat rail system. The airplane had completed an annual inspection the day before the accident, which included compliance with Airworthiness Directive 2011 10 09 (inspection of the seats and seat rails). The pilot reported no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. It’s likely that the right seat locking pins were not fully engaged in the seat track engagement holes at the time of takeoff, which allowed for it to slide aft, resulting in the pilot’s loss of directional control during the takeoff roll. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4464R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4464R), registered now, S/N 17263206, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17263206 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 10941.1 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 160 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: T-Craft Aero Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 4, 2026, 1 hours before - Destination: 1U3, Murphy, ID - Airport: MAN, Nampa Municipal, runway 11, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 21, 2025; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,517 total, 1,226 in this make and model, 4,461 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KMAN - METAR: METAR KMAN 052115Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 13/02 A3029 RMK A01 ## 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 20260205000909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260205000909A), Feb 5, 2026: Cessna 172M, Nampa, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot (a CFI) initiated takeoff from the aircraft right seat with intent to refresh his flying skills from that seat. When takeoff power was applied his seat… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202417. 5.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19971253&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA102%20-%206120.1%20-%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19972988&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA102%20-%20Record%20of%20conversation%20-%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, director of maintenance (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 172 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20181280&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA102%20-%20ROC%20with%20flying%20club%20mtx%20director_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 7 pages, 6 photos, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20523139&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA102%20-%20Photo%20Array_Redacted-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.