THE PILOT HAD JUST PURCHASED THE AIRPLANE AND WAS FLYING IT FROM THE POINT OF PURCHASE IN WINNER, SOUTH DAKOTA, TO HIS HOME IN MONTANA. WHILE LANDING AT THE FIRST EN ROUTE STOP, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY, AND THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. IN A STATEMENT, THE PILOT SAID HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A THREE POINT LANDING, WHEN HE SHOULD HAVE MADE WHEEL LANDINGS UNTIL HE WAS MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE AIRPLANE.