Didier Siffer (E-AB) Arion Lightning

Full 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.