Cessna 195B N2192C accident near Los Lunas, New Mexico

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to secure the seat’s position in the seat rail, which resulted in a loss of directional control and nose over.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, his seat slid aft on the seat rails, and he could not reach the rudder pedals. He reduced engine power and stretched to reach the brakes, however, he no longer had forward visibility. The airplane drifted to the right, and then to the left of the runway. The pilot braked hard, and the airplane nosed over. He later realized that the seat position peg had not been fully seated in the seat rail detent, and that the rear seat rail cotter pin was not installed. Both wings, the vertical stabilizer, and the rudder were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR23LA337 for the full record.