Incident Description
Shortly after takeoff, at an altitude of 200-300 feet above ground level, a portion of fabric separated from the right aileron of the aircraft. While maneuvering, the pilot's control wheel became free, losing aileron control. The pilot elected to ditch the aircraft, using full rudder and differential power to manage the descent and landing on water.
Occupant Roles and Observations
The right seat was occupied by a mechanic employed by the operator who held a private pilot certificate with single- and multi-engine ratings. He reported suggesting to the pilot that his own controls were functioning normally, but the pilot disagreed and proceeded with the ditching. Subsequent examination of the right control yoke confirmed that aileron movement was present in the correct direction.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the pilot's control wheel aileron control chain revealed that the chain had failed due to overload. The right aileron fabric was found to have separated partially. The right-seat controls were operable, indicating that the aircraft could have been flown using those controls.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was the pilot's improper decision to ditch the aircraft when it could have been flown back to the airport using the right seat controls. Contributing factors were the failure and separation of a portion of the right aileron fabric, and the pilot's excessive force applied to the control wheel, which resulted in overstressing the aileron control chain.