Accident Overview
A flight instructor and a student pilot were conducting a local training flight. Witnesses observed the airplane during its initial climb roll off on its left wing and descend into a wooded area. One witness reported that the airplane appeared to be in a steep nose-up attitude before rolling left and descending.
Post-Crash Examination
A post-crash fire destroyed the cockpit and cabin area, and the seat rails and forward seats could not be identified. Examination of the airframe and engine found no evidence of a pre-existing mechanical failure or malfunction.
Seat Lock Documentation
The airplane was equipped with primary seat locks designed to prevent the seats from slipping off the end of the seat rails. A month before the accident, a previous instance of seat slippage had been documented for the left seat. However, there was no evidence that slippage had occurred again. Cessna Aircraft Company had issued a service bulletin regarding secondary seat locks to prevent rearward seat slippage; the bulletin was classified as mandatory. The bulletin had not been accomplished on the accident airplane, and it was not required by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Occupant Information
The student pilot was 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 288 pounds. The flight instructor was 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighed 156 pounds.
Investigation Findings
The investigation did not identify a mechanical cause for the loss of control. The seat lock discrepancy and weight difference between occupants were documented, but no direct link to the accident was established.