# NTSB ERA09CA246: Piper PA20, N7653K, Scranton, PA, April 9, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 9, 2009, 17:54 local (21:54 UTC) - Place: Scranton, PA - Coordinates: 41.336387, -75.720558 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3364&lon=-75.7206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73662 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA246 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73662/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73662 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA246 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate compensation for wind conditions during landing. Contributing to the accident was the distraction of smoke in the cockpit. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Physical workspace: air quality/dust/smoke](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041025): Environmental issues › Task environment · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041025/cases.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-20, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102002), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis During initial climb at 300 feet above ground level, smoke began to enter the cockpit area, emanating from the windscreen defroster vent. The pilot elected to return to the airport for landing on Runway 22. As he flared for landing, a gust of wind lifted the right wing, and the left wing then contacted the runway surface. The airplane ground looped, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing rear spar and left elevator. Recorded winds at the airport, about the time of the accident, were from 240 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 14 knots. Subsequent inspection revealed that two large holes in the muffler were the source of smoke. Prior to departure, the pilot reported that the engine backfired during his magneto check. ## Factual narrative During initial climb at 300 feet above ground level, smoke began to enter the cockpit area, emanating from the windscreen defroster vent. The pilot elected to return to the airport for landing on runway 22. As he flared for landing, a gust of wind lifted the right wing, and the left wing then contacted the runway surface. The airplane ground looped, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing rear spar and left elevator. Recorded winds at the airport, about the time of the accident, were from 240 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 14 knots. Subsequent inspection revealed that two large holes in the muffler were the source of smoke. Prior to departure, the pilot reported the engine backfired during his magneto check. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7653K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7653K-2024-08-10), registration cancelled 2024-08-10, S/N 20-473 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA20 (115) - Registry model: [Piper PA-20](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (registry code 7102002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20-473 - Airframe hours: 3035 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Thomas John Malinchak - Registered owner: Thomas John Malinchak - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 2008, 2 hours before - Departed: AVP, Scranton, PA - Destination: NONE, Carbondale, PA - Airport: AVP, Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton, runway 22, 7,501 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 31, 2009; seat: front; flight hours: 350 total, 2 in this make and model, 320 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 11 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: AVP ## 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 20090409004749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090409004749A), Apr 9, 2009: Piper PA20, Wilkes-Barre/S, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that he began to get smoke in the cockpit from an unknown source. He had taken off on runway 22 and was approximately 300' above the runway… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 4, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73662. 765 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 387 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313242&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313243&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports (item 3, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313244&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.PDF - Photo - Damage of Left Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 318 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313248&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20Damage%20of%20Left%20Wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.