NTSB Factual Report

On September 12, 2018, at 0810 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172 airplane, N24ME, collided with terrain during the takeoff roll from a private grass strip in Roche Harbor, Washington. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to Cannery Leasing LTD and operated by Island Air under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a positioning flight. . Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was destined for Bellingham International Airport (BLI), Bellingham, Washington.

According to the pilot he had adjusted and secured the seat prior to take off. During the takeoff roll, the seat slipped all the way back and the pilot was not able to reach the throttle or the rudder pedals. The airplane veered to the left and lifted off the ground. The tail and left wing struck the ground and the airplane came to rest on its nose.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector responded to the accident site. The FAA inspector reported that the seat moved freely in both directions to each stop with no binding encountered. He further reported that there was proper hole engagement with the seat pin and holes in the seat rail.

The airplane was recovered for further examination.