Background
The pilot of the airplane decided to divert to Selma, Alabama, after realizing that the instrument charts were stored in the wing locker and not readily accessible for the intended flight.
Sequence of Events
During the landing approach, as the airplane was approximately 15 feet above the runway in a flared attitude, the pilot's seat back failed. This sudden failure caused the pilot to lose control of the airplane, resulting in a hard landing.
Examination Findings
A subsequent examination of the failed seat revealed that it had been incorrectly repaired and reassembled by a maintenance person. The improper work led to a partial overload failure of the seat structure, which ultimately gave way during the landing flare.
Conclusion
The hard landing was a direct consequence of the seat back failure. The investigation identified the incorrect repair and reassembly of the seat as the cause of the failure.