Accident Details
A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a noncertificated student pilot departed from Goodyear, Arizona, on a dual instructional flight. While practicing ground reference maneuvers, the airplane experienced a loss of aileron control. The CFI performed a forced landing into a drywash. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a berm.
Wreckage Examination
Post-accident examination of the wreckage disclosed that one of the aileron cables had become disconnected from its bellcrank. The connecting nut and bolt were not located. Another bolt, although still attached to the bellcrank, did not have a corresponding nut. The absence of these hardware items allowed the cable to separate, resulting in the loss of aileron control.
Maintenance History
Both wings had been reinstalled on the airplane approximately 22 months before the accident. The last annual inspection was performed about 3 months before the accident. The same mechanic carried out both the wing reinstallation and the annual inspection. The investigation did not determine when the hardware became missing or whether it was related to the maintenance actions.