Twin Bonanza 50
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 45; Flight Crew Total 2013; Flight Crew Type 23
Troubleshooting; Distraction; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Chart Or Publication; Procedure
On a Part 91 VFR personal flight for the purpose of recreation and lunch; myself and my two eldest sons age 2 and 3 years old; experienced a malfunction of the flight controls. I departed with intentions to fly to a nearby airport to eat lunch. After performing a normal pre-flight; and run-up; all with normal checks; I was cleared to depart Runway 33. The engines made good consistent power; and the take off roll was uneventful; as I broke ground and began my climb I noticed the right wing seemed 'heavy' and I dialed in a little more aileron trim. I was then given vectors to fly 360 to make way for departing traffic. I suspect I was less than 400 feet AGL at this point. I continued to notice a right heavy wing and recognized I had a problem. I was still on Tower frequency and told Tower; 'I'm coming back in.' Tower asked if I was having a problem and at that point I was fully aware that my control yoke inputs to control Roll were ineffective. I said yes; I was having a problem and I declared an emergency. I was cleared for a right downwind for Runway 33 and was cleared to land. I maintained control of the aircraft using rudder input; and aileron trim; and found I was able to satisfactorily control the aircraft. I was prompted for souls on board; Answer 3 souls; and Fuel remaining; 6 hours. I indicated to the Tower that I was having a control issue. I was cleared direct to the numbers and was prompted to turn base. I replied I'm trying. I indicated I may pop into the Bravo airspace to alert them that if I needed the space I would take it. The Tower asked if I was having trouble turning the aircraft; and I responded that I would be radio silent but I had it under control. The Tower requested Radio Silence to help. I had the aircraft under-control using differential power and Rudder. I was stable and the plane was responding well. Several minutes later Tower reported winds to be 290 at 6 knots; gusting to 13 knots. The runway was clear of all traffic and I was cleared to land. The landing was uneventful and (if I do say so myself one of my best) I touched down; rolled briefly and easily made Taxiway Foxtrot. Tower offered me to go to Taxiway Golf; but I said I'd take Foxtrot; and made it without further problem. I indicated I was going back to Taxiway Tango; and I was in need of no further assistance. I thanked the Tower and transferred to Ground. I later learned that; without my knowledge; an effort had been made to 'investigate' the steps required to install a dual control yoke; including unbolting the single control yoke by removing the press fit cover; the cotter pin from the castellated Nut; unscrewing the nut; and pulling the control yoke to some degree reward to disconnect it from inside the Throw-over bearing and the Control Wheel Sprocket. The positioning key was displaced which caused the inability for the control yoke to turn the sprocket with sufficient force; and thereby move the chain and all the parts afterward that connect to the ailerons. (I have since found the positioning key on the floor of the aircraft.)
A BE50 departed normally but immediately after takeoff the pilot experienced the aircraft's aileron control inoperative; so he declared an emergency and returned to land where he discover the aileron yoke control disconnected.