Piper PA20 N7653K

Summary

On 9 April 2009 at about 21:54 local time, a Piper PA20 registered N7653K, operated by Thomas John Malinchak, was involved in an accident near Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 April 2009 at 21:54

Classification

Accident

Location

Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton (AVP)

Coordinates

41.3364, -75.7206

Aircraft

Piper PA20

Registration

N7653K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Thomas John Malinchak

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Scranton → Carbondale

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA09CA246

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s inadequate compensation for wind conditions during landing. Contributing to the accident was the distraction of smoke in the cockpit.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB 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 that the engine backfired during his magneto check.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.