What is the primary effect of a misaligned control surface?

A misaligned control surface primarily leads to uncontrolled aircraft movement. Control surfaces, such as ailerons, elevators, and rudders, are crucial for maneuvering the aircraft and maintaining stability in flight. When these surfaces are not aligned properly, they cannot effectively control the aircraft's attitude or trajectory, resulting in unexpected and potentially dangerous movements.

For instance, an aileron that is misaligned could cause one wing to create more lift than the other, leading to rolling motions that the pilot did not intend. Similarly, a misaligned elevator can make it difficult to maintain level flight or to control pitch effectively. Thus, the lack of proper control can create a situation where the aircraft may veer off its intended flight path, making this option the most accurate choice regarding the consequences of a misaligned control surface.