N9664D

On November 2, 2005, about 1045 central standard time, a Piper PA22-150, N9664D, piloted by a private pilot was destroyed by fire after an emergency landing on runway 18, at the Ingersoll Airport, Canton, Illinois. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological without a flight plan. The pilot received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The intended destination was the Pontiac Municipal Airport, Pontiac, Illinois.

In a written statement, the pilot said that after taking off and executing a left hand traffic pattern departure, he noticed smoke emanating from the left side of the instrument panel. He stated that he was about 1,200 feet and had been airborne for about 1 minute when he noticed the smoke. The pilot elected to land on runway 18 at the departure airport and turned the airplane toward the runway. The pilot stated that at this time, the cockpit was begining to fill with smoke and he was having difficulty seeing. According to the pilot, he executed the landing and the airplane rolled to a stop on the grass adjacent to the runway.

The airplane was consumed by the fire after the pilot had exited the airplane.

Postaccident examination of the airplane failed to reveal evidence of the original source of the fire.