ROLLING FORK, MS, USA
N23509
AIR TRACTOR AT-301
WHILE ON SHORT FINAL, THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE ACFT ABOUT THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS. THE BANK CONTINUED UNTIL THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND & CAME TO REST INVERTED. EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE LEFT AILERON SEPARATED UPWARD IN-FLT. THE THREE BOLTS & SELF LOCKING NUTS USED TO SECURE IT WERE NOT LOCATED. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE AILERON ATTACH ARMS UNDER THE WING NOR WAS THERE DAMAGE TO THE AILERON'S ATTACH PIONTS. THE AILERON PUSH-PULL ROD WAS EXAMINED & WAS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED DUE TO OVER LOAD. AN ANNUAL INSPN WAS PERFORMED 5 DAYS EARLIER, BUT THE AILERON WAS NOT REMOVED. THE ACFT LOGBOOK DID NOT CONTAIN AN ENTRY INDICATING THAT THE AILERON WAS REMOVED.
THE IN-FLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE LEFT AILERON DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES AND AN INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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