NTSB Factual Report

On November 25, 2001, at 1500 central standard time, a Luscombe 8A, N77869, owned and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during landing rollout on runway 17 (4,000 feet by 75 feet, dry asphalt) at the Lawrence Smith Memorial Airport (OA6), Harrisonville, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot was uninjured. The local flight originated from OA6 at 1445.

The pilot reported, "Took off 1445 CST [and] flew around local area (OA6) [and] returned to land at approximately 1500 CST. Landed in 3 point position. As I was rolling out a gust started to lift right wing. I made corrections to gain control but to no avail. Airplane left the runway heading toward a ditch on the right side of the runway. Did not want to nose over in the ditch so applied power [and] pulled back on stick and got enough lift to clear ditch and came to rest on far side of ditch."

The pilot reported that the wind conditions were from 250 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots.

The pilot reported receiving a biennial flight review on July 14, 2001 in a Beech M35 airplane, which has a retractable tricycle landing gear system. The accident airplane was equipped with a fixed tail wheel landing gear system.

The pilot reported a total flight time of 642 hours, of which 54 hours were in the make and model of the accident airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

directional control not maintained be the pilot during landing rollout. The ditch was a contributing factor.