What happened
Following a three-month period of being moored outdoors, the pilot prepared the aircraft for flight. During the takeoff sequence from the water, the aircraft entered a left-hand bank. This banking motion intensified during the initial climb until the plane impacted the ground.
The sole occupant of the aircraft, the pilot, was killed in the accident. The wreckage was subject to an intense post-impact fire, which significantly hindered the investigation by destroying critical components such as the interconnect system, pulleys, and the overhead bellcrank.
Findings
Investigations into the accident focused on recent heavy maintenance performed on the aircraft's control column. During this period, the upper portion of the column had been swapped for a throw-over yoke, which required the reconfiguration of the aileron system.
Post-accident analysis determined that the control cables at the base of the control column were operating in reverse relative to the instructions provided in the maintenance manual. This error was attributed to improper major repairs conducted by maintenance personnel. Additionally, the investigation identified an inadequate preflight inspection by the pilot as a contributing factor to the loss of control.