# NTSB SEA01LA176: Bellanca 7ECA, N1021E, Estacada, OR, September 30, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 30, 2001, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Estacada, OR - Coordinates: 45.199527, -122.059043 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1995&lon=-122.0590&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53545 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA01LA176 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53545/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA176 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the takeoff ground roll. A tailwind, fence and the pilot's lack of total experience in the type of aircraft were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - lack of experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was taking off with a tailwind. During the ground roll, about 50 feet after the tail wheel was raised, the aircraft veered to the right. The pilot applied full left rudder control, however, the aircraft continued to the right off the side of the runway and collided with a fence. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time, and that he did not have enough experience in the aircraft for a downwind takeoff. ## Factual narrative On September 30, 2001, about 1415 Pacific daylight time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N1021E, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, ran off the side of the runway and collided with a fence at the Valley View airport, Estacada, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot received minor injuries, and the passenger was not injured. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was taking off on runway 34 with a tailwind. During the take off roll, about fifty feet after the tail wheel was raised, the aircraft veered to the right. The pilot applied full left rudder control, however, the aircraft continued to the right off the side of the runway and collided with a fence. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time. The pilot reported a total flight time of 390 hours with 15 hours in the make and model aircraft involved in the accident. The pilot also reported that he did not have enough experience in the aircraft for a downwind takeoff. At 1353, Aurora State Airport, Aurora, Oregon, located about 19 nautical miles southwest of Estacada was reporting the surface winds from 100 degrees at nine knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1021E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1021E), registered now, S/N 1204-77, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 7ECA - Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1204-77 - Airframe hours: 1677 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Edward G. Micallef - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 2001, 280 hours before - Departed: Estacada, OR - Airport: 5S9, Valley View, runway 34, 3,780 × 32 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 9, 2000; seat: front; flight hours: 390 total, 15 in this make and model, 390 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: UAO, 19 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20010930026079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010930026079A), Sep 30, 2001: Bbavia 7ECA, Estacada, OR, No damage. (.19) On September 30, 2001, about 1415 pacific daylight time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N1021E, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR part 91 personal… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.