On January 20, 1986, a Cessna 185 (registration N1573F) was involved in an aviation accident near St. Ignace, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inability to maintain control of the aircraft during takeoff due to his seat sliding aft, which prevented him from reaching the controls. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot lost control of the aircraft during takeoff when his seat slid fully aft, preventing him from reaching the controls. The right wing struck a snowbank, causing substantial damage.
What happened
During the takeoff phase, the pilot applied full power to accelerate for departure. Shortly thereafter, his seat unexpectedly slid backward to its full aft position. This movement placed the pilot out of reach of all flight controls. Unable to operate the aircraft normally, he unfastened his seat belt and lunged forward to manually shut off the engine. As a result of this loss of control, the right wing struck a snowbank. The impact caused substantial damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
Following the incident, the pilot attempted to identify the mechanical failure responsible for the seat movement. He was unable to determine whether the wear or defect lay in the seat track mechanism or in the retaining pin that secures the seat position.
Probable cause
The pilot's inability to maintain control of the aircraft during takeoff due to his seat sliding aft, which prevented him from reaching the controls. The underlying cause was determined to be worn components in the seat retention system, specifically the seat track or retaining pin.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 20 Jan 1986 Cessna 185 accident near St. Ignace, MI?
A pilot lost control of the aircraft during takeoff when his seat slid fully aft, preventing him from reaching the controls. The right wing struck a snowbank, causing substantial damage.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 20 Jan 1986 involved a Cessna 185, registration N1573F, at St. Ignace, MI.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's inability to maintain control of the aircraft during takeoff due to his seat sliding aft, which prevented him from reaching the controls. The underlying cause was determined to be worn components in the seat retention system, specifically the seat track or retaining pin.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…