Primary finding
Probable cause
improper attachment of the flight control cables to the ailerons by the mechanic who performed the last annual inspection. A factor relating to this accident was the pilot's failure to perform an adequate check of the flight controls before takeoff.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot said that right after takeoff at approximately 30 feet above ground level (AGL), the airplane entered a right turn. The airplane did not respond to the pilot's control inputs. The pilot reduced power and pitch. The airplane's right wing struck the ground followed by the right main landing gear. The airplane subsequently ground looped before coming to a stop. Examination of airplane showed that both ailerons were rigged improperly. The aileron control cables had been attached to the wrong side of the bellcranks. This flight on which the accident occurred was the first flight of the airplane following an annual inspection preformed on July 19, 1996.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 20, 1996, at 0945 eastern daylight time (edt), a Piper J3C-65, N3607N, operated by an airline transport pilot, sustained substantial damage when after takeoff it departed controlled flight. The airplane subsequently impacted the terrain. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A flight plan was not on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight originated at Grosse Ile, Michigan, at 0945 edt. In his written statement, the pilot said that right after takeoff at approximately 30 feet above ground level (AGL), the airplane entered a right turn. The airplane did not respond to the pilot's control inputs. The pilot reduced power and pitch. The airplane's right wing struck the ground followed by the right main landing gear. The airplane subsequently ground looped before coming to a stop. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the wreckage on the airport found the airplane's right wing, outboard of the strut attachment, bent upward approximately 10 degrees. There were numerous wrinkles in the upper surface of wing skin. The right wingtip was bent inward. The right main landing gear was bent upward. The tail wheel was bent over to the left. One blade of the propeller was bent back slightly. The front face of the blade and trailing edge showed scratches running 60 degrees to the longitudinal axis beginning at mid-span and going outward to the tip. Examination of the engine and engine controls revealed no anomalies. Examination of the flight controls showed that both ailerons were rigged improperly. The aileron control cables had been attached to the wrong side of the bellcranks. This flight on which the accident occurred was the first flight of the airplane following an annual inspection preformed on July 19, 1996. -