No fatalities

PIPER PA-18 accident at Lake Placid, FL, 10 Feb 2021

Lake Placid, FL, United States

On February 10, 2021, a PIPER PA-18 was involved in an aviation accident near Lake Placid, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to ensure that the aft seat cushion was adequately secured, which resulted in its movement, subsequent interference with the flight controls, and a hard landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to ensure that the aft seat cushion was adequately secured, which resulted in its movement, subsequent interference with the flight controls, and a hard landing.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

PilotControl column section

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 10 Feb 2021 PIPER PA-18 accident near Lake Placid, FL?

The pilot’s failure to ensure that the aft seat cushion was adequately secured, which resulted in its movement, subsequent interference with the flight controls, and a hard landing.

Were there any fatalities in the 10 Feb 2021 PIPER PA-18 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 10 Feb 2021 involved a PIPER PA-18, at Lake Placid, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s failure to ensure that the aft seat cushion was adequately secured, which resulted in its movement, subsequent interference with the flight controls, and a hard landing.