N55RK

On August 11, 2002, at 1255 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt Glassair II, N55RK, was substantially damaged during a landing at Laconia Municipal Airport (LCI), Laconia, New Hampshire. The certificated private pilot and the passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that he performed a "normal" approach to runway 26. During the landing, the airplane bounced, then settled onto the runway with the tailwheel "off center." As it touched down, the airplane began to veer to the right, and the pilot added left rudder. The airplane continued off the right side of the runway and came to rest about 200 yards away.

The pilot reported that he did not apply any right rudder prior to the landing, and may have landed in a "3-point attitude." He also reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the fuselage was twisted, and damage was noted to the landing gear and propeller.

Weather reported at Laconia, at 1255, included winds from 220 degrees at 6 knots, sky clear, temperature 87 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 54 degrees Fahrenheit, and barometric pressure 30.05 inches Hg.

The pilot reported 1,000 hours of total flight experience on his most recent FAA third class medical, issued on July 7, 2001.