Preflight Inspection
After a rebuild of the accident airplane, the pilot and the mechanic who rebuilt the airplane conducted a preflight inspection, including a check of the flight controls, and were satisfied that the airplane appeared airworthy.
Accident Sequence
During the takeoff-initial climb, the airplane was about 150 feet above ground level at 70 mph airspeed when it suddenly rolled about 90 degrees to the right. The pilot applied left aileron and left rudder control, but the airplane did not respond. He retarded the engine power to idle and pushed forward on the control yoke to maintain airspeed. The airplane's right wing struck the runway, and the pilot applied full engine power. The left wing struck the ground, and the airplane landed hard on the main landing gear. The airplane then departed the runway area and collided with a ditch.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the airplane and flight controls revealed that the chain control linkage, within the control yoke, was misrouted at the base of the control column, thereby reversing the aileron activation. Standard preflight inspection protocols for fixed-wing aircraft require that the pilot ensure that the ailerons deflect in the proper direction when the control yoke is moved to the left and right roll positions.