A system and method are disclosed which prevent structural damage to a chair footrest in an aircraft. Aircraft typically include release pins which when pulled out of apertures at different angular positions on arms existing on each side of the seat frame enable a user to set the footrest at different angular positions. To avoid overloading, the pin has been included in a pivotable housing on an axle. Resistance against rotation of the pin is provided using a torsion spring. This enables the resistance to be set at a level that allows the pin to break out to prevent overloading.