Bellanca 7ECA accident near Estacada, Oregon, September 30, 2001
On September 30, 2001 at about 9:15 pm local time, a Bellanca 7ECA, registered N1021E, was substantially damaged in an accident near Estacada, Oregon (Valley View airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 30, 2001 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Estacada, Oregon · Valley View · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 7ECA · all 7ECAs on the register
- Registration
- N1021E · registry record · serial 1204-77
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 390 hours in all; 15 in this make and model; 390 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 9, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,677 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 8, 2001; 280 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-C1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Estacada OR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 3,780 ft by 32 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from UAO, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.