WestJet Boeing 737 Aborted High Speed Takeoff After Pilot Seat Shifts Fully Backwards

CALGARY – Safety investigators have detailed a harrowing incident in which a WestJet Boeing 737-700, registration C-FWSV, was forced to execute a high-speed rejected takeoff (RTO) after the first officer’s seat unlatched and slid entirely away from the flight controls. As of February 3, 2026, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has concluded its preliminary review, identifying a mechanical deficiency in the cockpit seating assembly as the primary cause.

The occurrence, which took place during the critical acceleration phase of departure, underscores the vital importance of cockpit ergonomic integrity during high-load operations.

A Critical Loss of Control Geometry

According to the TSB disclosure, the aircraft was accelerating through its takeoff roll when the first officer’s seat suddenly unlatched from its tracking mechanism. Without warning, the seat shifted to its fully aft position, effectively moving the pilot out of reach of the rudder pedals and significantly altering their perspective of the flight instruments and window view.

In the high-stakes environment of a takeoff roll, any shift in the pilot’s physical position can be catastrophic. The crew acted decisively, initiating an RTO at high speed, a manoeuvre that carries its own risks of tyre bursts and brake fires, to ensure the safety of the aircraft.

“Canadian investigators have disclosed that a WestJet Boeing 737-700 rejected take-off at high speed after the first officer’s seat unlatched and fully shifted backwards,” the report stated.

Investigation Findings

Following the safe termination of the takeoff at about 120 KIAS and the taxi back to the gate, the aircraft was removed from service for a mechanical inspection. Maintenance crews and TSB investigators focused on the seat’s adjustment and locking hardware.

The inspection revealed that the seat’s failure was not due to improper positioning by the pilot, but rather a mechanical wear issue. Investigators found “excessive play” in a seat control handle, which directly impeded the safety mechanism’s ability to function.

“Inspection of the first officer’s seat found ‘excessive play’ in a seat control handle, says the safety board, which resulted in ‘difficulty’ engaging seat-locking pins.”

The failure of these pins to securely seat in the floor tracks allowed the chair to succumb to the inertial forces of the aircraft's acceleration, resulting in the sudden backward slide.

Safety Outcome and Maintenance Action

Despite the high-speed nature of the abort, the TSB confirmed that none of the 64 occupants on board sustained injuries. The aircraft itself remained undamaged, a testament to the crew's adherence to standard operating procedures for high-speed rejects.

WestJet has since addressed the specific mechanical failure by replacing the faulty unit.

“The seat was removed and replaced,” the TSB confirmed, signalling that the aircraft had returned to the flight line following testing of the new installation.

This incident serves as a reminder of the "silent" mechanical risks within a cockpit. While much of aviation safety focuses on engines and avionics, the stability of the pilot’s physical interface with the aircraft remains a foundational requirement for safe flight.