B757-200
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Procedure
Apparent flight control malfunction (aileron deflection) after autopilot disconnected at approximately 1500' AGL. Controllable to landing. Log entry made; consulted with Maintenance Technician in detail showing him a picture of the right aileron deflection at arrival gate. Technician was able to duplicate the discrepancy. We both agreed that the aircraft should be taken out of service until the matter was fully investigated. Later; I learned from Maintenance Technician's that there was a flight control malfunction due to a flashlight found in a panel that interfered with the aileron movement. The flashlight appeared to have been severed.  Additionally; I learned that two similar Log entries were made previously indicating the same discrepancy. Apparently a flashlight was left in a panel.
B757 flight crew reported an aileron deflection when the autopilot was turned off during approach. Maintenance discovered a flashlight in an access panel that was interfering with the aileron controls.