What happened
During the initial climb phase following takeoff, the aircraft entered a steep nose-up attitude, reaching between 70 and 80 degrees. This maneuver led to an aerodynamic stall and a subsequent drop of the right wing. The aircraft eventually leveled its wings before impacting the terrain in a nearly flat orientation. The pilot, who was the only person on board, sustained serious injuries during the crash.
Findings
Investigations determined that the aircraft's weight and center of gravity were within established operational limits, and no mechanical issues capable of causing an uncommanded pitch-up were identified prior to impact. The pilot reported being unable to move the control column forward sufficiently to counteract the upward pitch.
Physical examination of the cockpit revealed that the pilot's seat was positioned in a manner where the right locking pin was properly engaged, but the left locking pin was not fully seated in its hole. While no visible marks were found on the pins themselves, deep scratches were noted on the seat adjustment rails. The investigation concluded that the unlocked seat contributed to the loss of control, alongside an inadvertent pull-up and a failure to follow established checklists.