NTSB Factual Report

On July 5, 2004, about 1100 central daylight time, a Waco YMF-FSC, N620CR, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during landing on runway 36 (4,002 feet by 75 feet, asphalt), at the Lansing Municipal Airport, Lansing, Illinois. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot was not injured. The local flight originated about 1030.

In a written report, the pilot stated that the airplane ran off runway due to crosswind gusts of 10 to15 knots. The pilot stated that he was letting the plane run off on the grass parallel to the runway to dissipate speed prior to re-entering the runway because of poor forward visibility in the conventional geared airplane. The pilot stated that as the plane was rolling on the grass, the main landing gear wheels struck a ravine with the right wheel dropping more than the left wheel which caused the airplane to "cartwheel onto the nose." The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with respect to the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control. The crosswind and the ditch were contributing factors.