Cessna Stationair/Turbo Stationair 7/8
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 91; Flight Crew Total 1400; Flight Crew Type 180
Time Pressure; Distraction; Fatigue
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Human Factors; Aircraft
I was at ZZZ after finishing the freight run; and the seats were still out of the airplane. I received a call from base informing me that I was being assigned the 1500 flight out of ZZZ1; so I needed to put the seats back in the plane and fly to ZZZ1. After doing some weight and balance calculations to ensure that everyone would fit given my fuel load; I put the seats in the plane and headed to ZZZ1. When I arrived in ZZZ1; we were late for the 1500 outbound; so I rushed to get all the cargo and people loaded into the plane. I was worried that if I was too late for the 1500 out; that delay would trickle down and cause the 1630 return to be after dark; which due to the weather would have to be canceled. I gave my passengers the pre-flight safety brief; in which I told them to fasten their seatbelts by inserting the tab into the locking assembly. I finished my brief as I always do by telling them to let me know if they have any issues; comments; or concerns. I visually checked the front seat passenger; asked if everyone was ready to go; and then flew to ZZZ2. Upon deplaning everyone had good things to say; and indicated that they were looking forward to me flying them again this weekend on the return trip. I then flew a reposition flight to ZZZ3 to pick up freight; and then to ZZZ4 to pick up 2 more passengers. Again; I gave the same safety brief before flying to ZZZ2. As I was loading passengers at ZZZ2; one of them asked me for assistance in finding her seatbelt. When I looked for her seatbelt; I realized that it was not installed; and asked the other passengers if they had found their belts. They all stated that they couldn't find theirs either. I then retrieved the seatbelts from the seat backs and installed the seatbelts. We then flew back to ZZZ1. Realizing the severity of my error; I informed both our Chief Pilot and our Director of Operations. Contributing to my failure to ensure correct seat belt installation was fatigue and distraction resulting from some health problems with one of my children. I was worried that as a result of being assigned the flight at the last minute I was not going to have the time to get his medication on the way home from work; which might have resulted in an ER visit later that night. I understand that I must ensure I am fully fit for flight; and this incident has resulted in me reassessing the process through which I determine whether I can take a flight or not.
C207 Captain reports installing seats after a freight run but forgets to install the seatbelts that are stored in the seat back pocket. The standard passenger briefing is given and no passenger asks for help with their seatbelts. On the next passenger leg a passenger does ask and the lack of seatbelts is discovered.