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CEN23LA179

2023-05-06 · Englewood, Colorado, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport APA

Current FAA registration · N34BL

Make / Model
CESSNA 172S
Year of manufacture
2020 · 3 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING IO-360-L2A (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20200327
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A3BB19

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s decision to adjust his seat during taxi, which resulted in his seat sliding aft, and subsequent loss of directional control.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he attempted to adjust his seat while taxing the airplane. The seat slid aft, and he was unable to reach the rudder pedals. The airplane traversed across a taxiway, impacted a swale, then continued onto a runway before the pilot was able to regain control. The airplane’s rudder and lower aft fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action sequence-Pilot
  • — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft handling/service-Towing and taxiing-Taxiing-Incorrect use/operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2023_CEN23LA179.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

Search this event elsewhere

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Related research

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