Hard Landing During Touch-and-Go Practice Following Seat Slippage

Accident Details

The pilot was performing touch-and-go practice takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern. During the landing flare for the final landing, her seat slid aft. This caused the airplane to balloon and subsequently land hard. The hard landing resulted in substantial damage to the engine firewall and cabin floor structure.

Aircraft and Regulatory Background

The accident airplane make/model was the subject of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness directive (AD) regarding seat slippage. This AD was issued three years prior to the accident. Review of the airplane's maintenance logs revealed that the airplane had received the inspections required by the AD. An FAA inspector examined the seat rail and latching mechanism and found no anomalies.

Investigation Findings

The investigation did not identify any mechanical issues with the seat retention system. The seat rail and latching mechanism functioned normally when inspected post-accident. The cause of the seat slippage during the flare remains undetermined based on the available evidence.