# NTSB ERA11CA442: Didier Siffer Arion Lightning, N723AD, Farmingdale, NY, August 6, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 6, 2011, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Farmingdale, NY - Coordinates: 40.721668, -73.42028 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7217&lon=-73.4203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81407 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA442 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81407/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81407 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA442 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in a strong quartering crosswind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Siffer Didier ARION LIGHTNING, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05630R0), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Siffer Didier ARION LIGHTNING, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05630R0), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: high wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Siffer Didier ARION LIGHTNING, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md?model=05630R0), [All aircraft, 112 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Siffer Didier ARION LIGHTNING, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05630R0), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Siffer Didier ARION LIGHTNING, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05630R0), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Siffer Didier ARION LIGHTNING, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05630R0), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during touchdown on the runway, a gust of wind struck the right side of the airplane, and the left wing struck 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. The pilot landed with a 14-knot quartering crosswind, gusting to 17 knots. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N723AD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N723AD-2017-10-30), registration cancelled 2017-10-30, S/N 00115, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Didier Siffer (E-AB) Arion Lightning - Registry model: [Siffer Didier ARION LIGHTNING](https://openairdocs.org/model/siffer-didier-arion-lightning) (registry code 05630R0) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jabiru 3300](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jabiru-3300) (registry code 34801, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 00115 - Airframe hours: 50 - Engines: Jabiru 33A 2345 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Didier Siffer - Registered owner: Didier Siffer - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 31, 2011 - Departed: HGR, Hagerstown, MD - Destination: FRG, Farmingdale, NY - Airport: FRG, Republic Airport, runway 19, 5,516 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 11, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 91 total, 6 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 14 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: FRG ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20110806015759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110806015759A), Aug 6, 2011: Siffer Didier ARION LIGHTNING, Farmingdale, NY, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that after touchdown on RW19 at frg a gust of wind lifted the right wing. He made an aileron input to counteract but the left wing made contact… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 7, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81407. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352714&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352186&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FRG Weather Observations (item 3, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352187&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FRG%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Photo: View of Left Wing and Empennage Damage (item 4, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352188&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20View%20of%20Left%20Wing%20and%20Empennage%20Damage-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.