Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft departed from controlled flight and descended rapidly to the ground. The evidence shows that the pilot's seat had moved rearwards to the full extent of its travel causing the pilot to lose control of the aircraft. The evidence indicates that the seat adjustment pin had not been correctly located in one of the holes on the adjustment rail and a backup strap appears not to have been tightened.
Safety recommendations are made to the Civil Aviation Authority, the Light Aircraft Association and the British Microlight Aircraft Association to remind pilots of the importance of checking that seats are correctly locked and any secondary locking mechanisms are correctly used, particularly after each seat position adjustment.
The investigation continues to examine all factors which might have contributed to this accident. A Final Report will be published in due course.
