What was found
THE AIRPLANE CRASHED 18-19 SECONDS AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED TERRAIN BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. FLAPS WERE FULLY DOWN AT THE ACCIDENT SCENE. THE FLAP SWITCH WAS REMOVED AND SENT TO CESSNA FOR FUNCTIONAL TESTING. THIS SWITCH INCORPORATES A 'SPRING-RETURN' MECHANISM TO RETURN IT TO NEUTRAL POSITION AFTER BEING RELEASED FROM THE EXTEND POSITION. CESSNA REPORTED THAT THE SWITCH DEMONSTRATED PROPER ELECTRICAL FUNCTION, BUT IMPROPER MECHANICAL OPERATION (THE SWITCH DID NOT RETURN TO NEUTRAL WHEN RELEASED FROM EXTEND) 'DUE TO THE SPRING RETURN MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONING'.