Incident Overview
A pilot was flying an airplane parallel to the shoreline at a low altitude, approximately 500 feet above the water. The pilot executed a shallow, ascending left-hand turn, which he described as a "crop duster turn." During the maneuver, the pilot stated that too much left rudder was applied, causing the airplane to stall and become inverted.
Response to Stall
After the airplane became inverted, the pilot reduced power and pulled back on the control stick. According to the pilot, this control input kept the airplane in a stalled condition. The airplane subsequently impacted the water in a near-vertical attitude.
Post-Accident Examination
During the post-accident examination of the wreckage, the right aileron push-pull rod was discovered to be broken. The fracture was attributed to double-bending fatigue failure. However, the pilot stated that there were no control problems or any other malfunctions with the airplane prior to the stall. The safety board investigating the accident believes that the aileron rod broke during the impact with the water, rather than being a pre-existing condition.
Pilot Statement
No control issues were reported by the pilot before the stall. The event sequence, as described, involved a loss of control following the application of excessive left rudder during the turn.