ATHENS, NY, USA
N77WC
STINSON 108-1
THE PILOT'S SEAT BACK BROKE JUST AFTER THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE. THE PILOT TILTED AFT AND PULLED BACK ON THE CONTROL WHEEL. THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED STEEPLY, TURNED RIGHT, STALLED, AND IMPACTED INVERTED. REMEDIAL ACTION WAS NOT POSSIBLE. THE FRACTURE WAS LOCATED ADJACENT TO A WELDED JUNCTION OF THE SEAT BACK ATTACH POINT. EXAMINATION REVEALED THE TUBE FRAME FAILED IN DUCTILE OVERLOAD WITH NO EVIDENCE OF CORROSION OF FATIGUE.
INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO LOSS OF AIRSPEED AND SUBSEQUENT STALL WHEN THE PILOT'S SEAT BACK FAILED AND THE PILOT HUNG ONTO THE CONTROL WHEEL, RESULTING IN AN EXCESSIVE NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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