[Tom Z.]

I am a real armature here but what are you guys arguing about?

Is it that aero forces won't lift the spoiler if its fail safe mode is damped free float?

Rick,
Spoilers shouldn't float, they should always be locked flush (on airliners, almost always with hydraulics), unless they are deployed as speedbrakes, to assist ailerons, or upon landing to dump lift (get weight on the wheels, for the brakes).

The photograph that began the post shows a spoiler and aileron fighting each other, which should never happen.

The basic argument was if the spoiler actuator loses its ability to hold the spoiler panel fair (flat), via internal bypass, will the low pressure atop the wing (the lift) raise the panel to destroy some of the lift and thus require the aileron input to correct... explaining the picture. That is my theory (and 2 other posters) and the NTSB reports and A.D.'s that I attached are examples of that same phenomenon happening on other aircraft.

Fingpilot theorized that the mechanics adjusted the spoiler cables incorrectly, resulting in the spoiler always hanging out. While a simpler explanation, this could be seen on the ground by everyone and would cause a constant correction during takeoff and climb. Most pilots would know something is wrong and not continue a flight (especially a long flight) with a plane that requires constant roll input. Kind of like taking a long trip in your Porsche with it pulling to the left and never checking out why it's pulling.

Tom