"Cross connecting the rods is an easy mistake to make." - that is why a full control check is done after flight controls are disturbed. Over the years I have performed and certified innumerable flight control inspections under both European and FAA regulation - it is a check taken very seriously,not to be treated casually. Another point is that easily made mistakes on individual aircraft types is usually known about and the information disseminated by the 'mechanics Mafia'. Much information not in the maintenance manuals becomes known this way. Whoever signed the certification screwed up in no uncertain terms so I really do not think that it was a case of punishing the weakest.