ANC97LA087

The pilot reported he had recently purchased the accident airplane, a tricycle gear airplane converted to a tail wheel configuration, and was practicing touch and go landings to become more familiar with its handling characteristics. On the accident landing, he said the airplane begin to veer to the right, and that he was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane went off the right side of the runway and down a small embankment. The pilot, an aviation mechanic, said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

On June 22,1997, about 1115 Alaska daylight time, N7025B, a wheel equipped Piper PA-22, converted to a tail wheel configuration, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Hoonah Airport, Hoonah, Alaska. The solo private pilot was not injured. The local, 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was filed.

The pilot was interviewed on the telephone by the NTSB investigator-in-charge on June 23. The pilot related he was landing on runway 23 in calm wind conditions. He said he was practicing touch and go landings. On the accident landing, he said the airplane touched down on the left main tire first, and then the right. When the right tire touched down, the airplane began to go the right. He said he was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane went off the right side of the runway and down an embankment. After he got out of the airplane, a small fire erupted. The fire was almost immediately extinguished.

The pilot, who is also a certificated aviation airframe and powerplant mechanic, said there was no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. He said the airplane went off the runway because he was unprepared for the amount of "tire grab" when the airplane's right main tire touched down on the relatively warm runway. He also said he had just recently purchased the airplane, and was practicing touch and go landings to become more familiar with its handling characteristics.