Diven Robert NIEUPORT 17 N315BD

Summary

On 8 May 2018 at about 15:15 local time, a Diven Robert NIEUPORT 17 registered N315BD was involved in an accident near Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 May 2018 at 15:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Las Cruces Intl (LRU)

Coordinates

32.2894, -106.9219

Aircraft

Diven Robert NIEUPORT 17

Registration

N315BD

Category

Airplane

Year built

2018

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Las Cruces → Las Cruces

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA18CA266

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to attain a positive climb rate after takeoff in high-density altitude conditions, which resulted in a collision with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped biplane, the purpose of the flight was to accomplish the first test flight of the experimental, amateur-built airplane. During the takeoff roll, the airplane yawed left when the tail lifted. He reported that the airplane became airborne but would not accelerate. The airplane remained in ground effect, exited the runway, collided with rising terrain, and subsequently nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and the left main and subwings. The METAR at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 40° at 4 knots. The temperature was 81°F, and the dew point was 27°F. The barometric setting was 30.12 inches of mercury, and the airport elevation was 4,456 ft. The density altitude was 6,742 ft. The pilot used runway 8. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.