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 analysis
The pilot of the tandem seat-equipped airplane was high while on final approach to land, so he induced a slip to lose altitude before landing. Due to the forward pitch of the airplane during the slip, the aft seat cushion slid forward and lodged between the seat frame and control stick. The pilot the applied back pressure on the control stick to flare the airplane and slow the descent, but the control stick was blocked by the aft seat cushion. The airplane continued to descend, which resulted in a hard landing and substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA21LA131 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 10, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lake Placid, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Placid Lakes (09FA)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-18
- N-number
- N8183C
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1954
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.