Flight crew reported seat failure of a Kitfox V aircraft that resulted in a runway excursion on takeoff. The flight controls were binding and required extra effort to move the ailerons. The flight crew was able to land immediately after takeoff. Inspection revealed broken seat pan had collapsed onto the control cables and restricted their movement.
Synopsis
Flight crew reported seat failure of a Kitfox V aircraft that resulted in a runway excursion on takeoff. The flight controls were binding and required extra effort to move the ailerons. The flight crew was able to land immediately after takeoff. Inspection revealed broken seat pan had collapsed onto the control cables and restricted their movement.
Narrative
I was conducting flight training in a KitFox. During the takeoff we went off the side of the runway and into the grass. No damage to the aircraft occurred. Prior to the incident we did our normal checks for takeoff and everything was fine. Specifically during run up I had the student do a control check and even later; having not noticed the initial control check; I asked to see another and the student responded with another control check. Upon takeoff the aircraft was under control but later got out of control and [went] off the right hand side of the runway. After initial liftoff; the aircraft stalled and resettled back onto the runway. During the next liftoff I pushed the stick forward to prevent the stall and off we went. I took over the controls and noticed the ailerons were not normal. They had stiffened significantly and would lock in a position. So; we [requested priority handling] and came back for a fairly non eventful landing. After further inspection upon shutdown; the seats themselves were cracked and were pressing onto the physical cables of the ailerons. The controls weren't able to be moved without major physical input. The seats were written up for repair and we went home a bit shaken over the whole thing. As far as why the aircraft went off the side of the runway - I think the student was in utter shock at the stick being stiff and lack of communication and reaction on my end lead to a loss of control of the tail wheel aircraft. By the time the aircraft was off the side of the runway; we had control but found ourselves in the grass. From there; we opted a departure was the best way.
Second reporter narrative
Arrived to complete additional tail wheel flight training in new Kitfox Model V with CFI. Performed a complete pre-flight inspection prior to start and performed an after start check of flight controls prior to taxi IAW (In Accordance With) aircraft checklist. Performed run up and system check. Requested taxi clearance and taxied to hold short line for Runway XX. While waiting for departure; performed another control check while waiting for other airplanes to depart; we found no issue with the aileron/rudder box control check. Received clearance onto the runway and applied full power for takeoff. After raising the tail and beginning the rotation the control stick seemed to be jammed. The airplane began departing from the runway to the west (light winds out of east) and couldn't effectively aileron into the wind to correct. After lift off the control stick was jammed but could be forced through the stuck position.We requested priority handling and proceeded to evaluate our best course of action to return for landing. We made a turn to the east for left pattern and communicated to Tower's question that no further assist was needed on the ground as we had moderate control of the aircraft. Tower gave us clearance to land Runway XX and we proceeded to make a normal landing and taxied to Taxiway 1 to vacate the runway. After exiting the runway; we taxied back to the hangars for parking.Upon evaluation of the aircraft we found the fiberglass seat had broken and sunk into the control cables under the seat pan. This inhibited their freedom of movement. No other obstruction or malfunction was determined.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.