What happened
The accident occurred while a student pilot was conducting a practice landing. The aircraft was established on final approach to the designated practice landing area when an unexpected mechanical interference occurred. Specifically, the backrest of the rear seat collapsed forward, physically jamming the flight control system.
Despite the sudden loss of control authority, the student pilot attempted to free the controls but was unsuccessful. The pilot continued the descent and touched down within the intended landing area. However, due to the inability to maneuver or stop the aircraft effectively, it collided with a stand of trees located at the end of the runway.
The investigation
Post-acc examination revealed no evidence of pre-existing mechanical failure regarding the flight controls themselves. The pilot reported that there were no prior mechanical problems before the incident. The primary issue was identified as the rear seat back falling forward during the approach phase, which directly obstructed the control mechanisms.