Piper PA20 accident near Scranton, Pennsylvania, April 9, 2009
On April 9, 2009 at about 9:54 pm local time, a Piper PA20, registered N7653K, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Scranton, Pennsylvania (Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton 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).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inadequate compensation for wind conditions during landing. Contributing to the accident was the distraction of smoke in the cockpit.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 9, 2009 · about 9:54 pm local time
- Place
- Scranton, Pennsylvania · Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA20 115 · all PA20s on the register
- Registration
- N7653K · no longer on the register · serial 20-473
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during initial climb
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Response/compensation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- factor Environmental issues › Task environment › Physical workspace › Air quality/dust/smoke › Effect on personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 350 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 320 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 31, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,035 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 15, 2008; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-290 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AVP Scranton PA at 9:50 pm
- Destination: NONE Carbondale PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 7,501 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 11 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 9,500 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observation at 9:54 pm from AVP
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.