Interstate S-1A accident near Independence, Oregon, October 2, 2021
On October 2, 2021 at about 3:10 pm local time, a 1941 Interstate S-1A, registered N37317, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Independence, Oregon (Independence State airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The separation of the left rudder pedal interconnect cable during takeoff, which resulted in the student pilot’s inability to maintain directional control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 2, 2021 · about 3:10 pm local time
- Place
- Independence, Oregon · Independence State · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Interstate S-1A, built 1941 · all S-1As on the register
- Registration
- N37317 · registry record · serial 160
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The solo student pilot reported that, he was unable to maintain directional control of the tailwheel equipped airplane during the takeoff roll when he depressed the left rudder pedal. He aborted the takeoff and the airplane veered to the right, exited the right side of the runway, and impacted multiple airport signs, substantially damaging the right wing. Postaccident examination of the airplane by the owner revealed that, the control cable that interconnects the forward and aft seat left rudder pedals had failed. The owner further stated that it appeared the control cable had pulled through the nicopress swage and that the crimp marks were still visible on the swage. A review of the airplane maintenance records revealed that, the airplane amassed about 1,483.4 hours since the control cables were replaced about 21 years before the accident.
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
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during takeoff defining event
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › Rudder control system › Failure
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 83.5 hours in all; 42.6 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,770.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 9, 2021
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors A65 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Jeannes Flying Service LLC
The flight
- Destination: Malino OR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 3,002 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 200 ft
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observation at 7:56 am from KSLE, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KSLE 021456Z 00000KT 6SM R31/1600VP6000FT BR FEW002 06/05 A3022 RMK AO2 SLP234 T00610050 51004
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR22LA003.