Primary finding
Probable cause
The reversal of the aileron control cables by maintenance personnel, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The airline transport certificated pilot was departing on a Title 14, CFR Part 91, local area flight. It was the first flight after an extensive rebuild, and annual inspection of the airplane. The pilot said he conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane using its checklist, and had several maintenance items corrected before takeoff. He said that as the airplane became airborne, it immediately rolled to the left, and the left wing struck the runway. He pulled the engine power to idle, but was unable to correct the roll. The airplane pivoted to the left and nosed over. A postaccident inspection of the airplane by the pilot, maintenance personnel, and an FAA inspector, revealed that the aileron control cables were misrouted, and the aileron's direction of travel was reversed.
Source record
Factual narrative
The airline transport certificated pilot was departing on a Title 14, CFR Part 91, local area flight. It was the first flight after an extensive rebuild, and annual inspection of the airplane. The pilot said he conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane using its checklist, and had several maintenance items corrected before takeoff. He said that as the airplane became airborne, it immediately rolled to the left, and the left wing struck the runway. He pulled the engine power to idle, but was unable to correct the roll. The airplane pivoted to the left and nosed over. A postaccident inspection of the airplane by the pilot, maintenance personnel, and an FAA inspector, revealed that the aileron control cables were misrouted, and the aileron's direction of travel was reversed.