Bellanca 7ECA accident near Ramona, California, April 23, 2016
On April 23, 2016 at about 5:00 pm local time, a 1975 Bellanca 7ECA, registered N8654V, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Ramona, California (Ramona airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in variable wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 23, 2016 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Ramona, California · Ramona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 7ECA NO SERIES, built 1975 · all 7ECAs on the register
- Registration
- N8654V · no longer on the register · serial 1090-75
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the touch-and-go takeoff roll, he observed the windsock shift direction, the left wing of the airplane lifted very fast, and the airplane rolled to the right. The pilot further reported that when the left wing came back down, the airplane was orientated toward the ground. Subsequently the left wing of the airplane impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about the time of the accident, conditions were wind variable at 3 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 27.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Variable wind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 600 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 465 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 25, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Julie Keane Aviation INC
The flight
- Departed from: RNM Ramona CA at 4:40 pm
- Destination: RNM Ramona CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 5,001 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from KRNM
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.