a seat for use in an aircraft providing improved user lumbar load characteristics during a crash event , the seat having a pair of spaced apart front and rear legs , the front and rear legs each being formed of a metallic curved beam having high plastic and low elastic deformation characteristics . first and second chair beams are connected between the front and rear legs . a seat pan is supported between the chair beams , the seat pan being configured to plastically and telescopically deform downwardly between the front and rear legs during a crash event . an energy absorbing seat cushion is positioned on the seat pan . drag links limit the forward displacement of the front legs upper ends and thereby the seat pan during a crash event . the plasticity of the chair legs , the seat pan and the seat cushion being selected such that in the event of a crash a substantial portion of the load that would otherwise be imparted to a passenger &# 39 ; s lower back is absorbed .