The International Cessna^® 170 Association

The FAA is proposing a new AD against Cessna 172/182/206 aircraft seat back brackets in response to three recent reports of the brackets failing during takeoff. (If your seat back fails rearward during takeoff, guess what happens in most cases to the aircraft's pitch attitude? Have you ever tried a sit-up during takeoff with nothing to grab but the yoke? This happened to me once in a Baron and I can tell you it would have cost me my life except for the lucky fact that I was still on the ground.)

While our 170's are not included in the proposed AD, it would be good to look at our seat backs where they pivot above the seat cushion for security, wear, and condition. And if you have other aircraft model seats installed in your aircraft you should be aware of the safety issues involved in such modifications that will not provide you with proper notice of airworthiness conditions affecting your modified aircraft.

Suggestion: Don't wait for the annual inspection in the hope that your IA will think to inspect your seats. Do it yourself, at every pre-flight activity prior to boarding your airplane. Check the seat structure itself, the bolt/pin that makes up the hinge-point, and the seat tracks and latching mechanism for security, wear, and proper operation.

As a preventative measure I hook my two fingers around (behind) the throttle friction knob with full throttle during take off. If my seat lock fails, or the seat back lets go, I am not falling back as my throttle hand is firmly attached to the throttle lock knob.
Of course proper seat maintenance is my first priority but my throttle hand technique does work with little effort.
Cheers Eric