Accident Details
An agricultural airplane was making an approach to land at a private airstrip. According to the pilot, the control stick locking device (gust lock) fell into the lock position, jamming the control stick. The airplane was very low when its left wing struck the ground. The airplane then cartwheeled, separating both wings.
Examination Findings
No structural or mechanical anomalies were observed during an examination of the airplane. According to the aircraft manufacturer, to engage the gust lock, the assembly is rotated by hand from under the instrument panel to a point above the aircraft control stick. The barrel portion of the lock is then lowered onto the control stick. During the examination of the airplane, the barrel portion of the control lock could not be located, and no evidence of contact with the control lock barrel was noted on the control stick.
The source provides no analysis or probable cause for the accident.