PA-22 pilot reported loss of aircraft control during landing and subsequent propeller strike and runway excursion. The aircraft was towed to ramp.

Date: 2025-09 · Aircraft: PA-20 Pacer/PA-22 Tri-Pacer · Phase: landing

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-critical|ground-event-encounter-ground-strike-aircraft|ground-event-encounter-loss-of-aircraft-control|ground-excursion-runway

Synopsis

PA-22 pilot reported loss of aircraft control during landing and subsequent propeller strike and runway excursion. The aircraft was towed to ramp.

Narrative

Previous use of the aircraft included numerous turf airfields and the preceding few days were spent on rough turf. The planned flight was for a sight seeing tour of the area and some touch and go practice with a personal friend who is also a rated tailwheel pilot. No injuries throughout event or recovery of the aircraft.Crew showed on time and identified no significant weather or notams along the intended route.I accomplished a thorough walk around after taking the aircraft camping on rough terrain the previous few daysI wiped down the landing gear which had light bugs; dirt; and exhaust stains on it but no visible cracking or bendingI taxi'd out with no noted yaw or leanAccomplished standard runup procedures with no noted issuesDeparture was uneventful with a smooth takeoff rollFlew north over the river and hooked west to ZZZ for touch and go practiceThe first landing was stated as a low energy full flap; three-point; short field landingThe touch-down was soft with no bounce but the aircraft settled into a slight right leanI stated internally that we would be full stop to inspect the gearthe aircraft began to pull gradually off the runway so additional rudder was used to maintain centerlinethe yaw became uncontrollable and the gear began to give out with the aircraft at approximately 10-20mphI applied full aft stick; opposite rudder; braking; pulled the mixture cutoff and turned the key offThe prop spun down while striking the runway and the aircraft slowly stopped shortly after.The aircraft was about 90 off runway heading just short of the grass; resting on the right-wing tipI shutoff the electrical systems and directed the egress out the front right doorMy passenger opened the door with no issues and crawled out under the wing with me in trailWe observed no fire or fluids leaking after egressAirport authorities were notified; a NOTAM closing the runway was put in place while local ground support helped tow the aircraft to the ramp

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.