N9023L

On March 16, 1999, about 1700 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Champion 7GCBC airplane, N9023L, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Healy airstrip, Healy, Alaska. The certificated private pilot, and the one passenger aboard, were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Fairbanks International Airport, Fairbanks, Alaska, about 1650.

In his written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot reported that while landing on runway 15, the airplane bounced on initial touchdown, and he attempted to abort the landing by applying full power. He said the airplane became airborne, veered to the left, and settled onto the runway edge. The pilot noted that during the second touchdown the left wheel contacted soft snow, and he was unable to maintain directional control. The airplane went off the left side of the 2,920 feet long by 60 feet wide runway, and came to rest in a ditch that borders the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, right landing gear leg, and fuselage.

The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.