What happened
On 14 November 2021, an Escapade, registration G-CGNV, was performing a private flight from Breighton Airfield in North Yorkshire. During the takeoff roll, the pilot transmitted a radio message indicating a problem with the aircraft seat and an intention to return to the airfield.
Witnesses and CCTV footage observed the aircraft climbing at an unusual angle immediately after liftoff. The aircraft exhibited a significant left bank and was yawing to the right, drifting away from the runway centerline. At approximately 180 ft agl, the aircraft entered a steep descent and struck the grass runway near the control tower. The impact caused the aircraft to break into several sections and ignited a post-impact fire. The pilot sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the wreckage and the seat mechanism. While the pilot had initially set the seat in a fully forward position, the investigation found the seat was at its rearmost position at the time of impact. The seat adjustment rail was severely bent, and the adjustment pin was not correctly seated in one of the holes.
Investigators also found that the seat adjuster backup strap, which is intended to act as a secondary safety measure, had not been tightened. Furthermore, the pilot's stature required the seat to be forward to reach the rudder pedals effectively; in the rearward position, the pedals were unreachable. The investigation also noted that the pilot had recently used additional foam cushions, which were enclosed in loose pillowcases, potentially affecting the seat's stability.
Findings
- The accident was caused by the pilot's seat sliding backwards during the takeoff phase.
- The seat adjustment pin was not properly engaged in the adjustment rail due to a misalignment between the pin and the rail holes.
- The secondary safety backup strap was not tightened, failing to prevent the rearward movement.
- The pilot's ability to maintain effective control was compromised by the sudden change in seating position and the resulting inability to reach the rudder pedals.