Summary
On August 06, 2011, a Didier Siffer (e-ab) Arion Lightning (N723AD) was involved in an incident near Farmingdale, NY. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in a strong quartering crosswind.
According to the pilot, he completed a traffic-pattern approach to runway 19 and touched down on the main landing gear. While the nose landing gear was still in the air, a gust of wind struck the right side of the airplane, lifting the right wing, which resulted in the left wing striking the ground. The airplane subsequently veered to the left and the pilot attempted to regain directional control with aileron inputs. The airplane departed the left side of the runway, struck an airport sign and came to rest in a grassy area. During the accident sequence, the airplane incurred substantial damage to the empennage and left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA11CA442. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N723AD.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in a strong quartering crosswind.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
According to the pilot, he completed a traffic-pattern approach to runway 19 and touched down on the main landing gear. While the nose landing gear was still in the air, a gust of wind struck the right side of the airplane, lifting the right wing, which resulted in the left wing striking the ground. The airplane subsequently veered to the left and the pilot attempted to regain directional control with aileron inputs. The airplane departed the left side of the runway, struck an airport sign and came to rest in a grassy area. During the accident sequence, the airplane incurred substantial damage to the empennage and left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane. He also reported a total flight experience of 91 hours; of which, 6 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were from 210 degrees at 14 knots and gusting to 17 knots.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA11CA442