Incident Overview
A pilot experienced a ground loop after his seat slid rearward during the landing flare. According to the pilot's account, as he flared the airplane, he heard a "click" and his seat moved backward approximately 1 foot, limiting his ability to reach the flight controls. Attempts to adjust the seat position to regain control were unsuccessful, and the airplane entered a left ground loop before coming to rest to the left of the runway.
Post-Accident Examination
Following the incident, a Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined and photographed the pilot's seat. The inspector reported that the seat track locking pin was found positioned outside the seat track. The examination also noted that the side floor deck was buckled, the seat was structurally deformed, and the seat locking pin was located outside the seat rail and roller. The inspector indicated that these observations were consistent with impact-related damage. Importantly, the inspector stated that a reliable determination of the locking pin's position prior to the impact damage could not be made.
Additional Details
No further details regarding the aircraft type, registration, operator, location, date, time, weather, or ATC involvement were provided in the source. The pilot did not report any injuries, and no other occupants were mentioned. The source did not specify the extent of damage beyond the described deformations.