Cessna 182K Runway Departure at Branson West Municipal Airport (N2893R)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On October 30, 2011, at approximately 1111 central daylight time, a Cessna 182K with the registration N2893R sustained substantial damage when it departed the runway during takeoff and struck a ditch. The incident occurred at Branson West Municipal Airport (FWB) in Branson West, Missouri. The aircraft was registered to Brigman Productions, Inc., and the pilot was operating it under 14 Code of Federal Regulation Part 91 as a personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident, with an intended destination of Hutchinson Municipal Airport (HUT) in Hutchinson, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. No injuries were reported to the pilot or his three passengers. ## Pilot Account and Mechanical Factors The pilot reported that the pilot seat released and slid rearward during the takeoff roll. He stated that he reduced engine power and could still reach the rudder pedals, but was unable to actuate the brakes. Subsequently, the airplane went off the runway and struck a drainage ditch. ## Regulatory Compliance and Post-Accident Examination On June 17, 2011, the Federal Aviation Administration issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-10-09, which replaced a previous directive. The AD required repetitive inspections and replacement of parts, if necessary, for the seat rail and seat rail holes, seat pin engagement, seat rollers, washers, and axle bolts or bushings, the wall thickness of the roller housing and the tang, and lock pin springs. The airplane's most recent annual inspection, dated October 12, 2011, indicated that AD 2011-10-09 had been complied with and no defects were noted. Additionally, a post-accident examination of the seat mechanism by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors revealed no anomalies.