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NTSB accident investigation · Diven Robert Nieuport 17 · Las Cruces, NM · May 8, 2018

Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
May 8, 2018, 09:15 local (15:15 UTC)
Place
Las Cruces, NM
Injuries
1 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N315BDDiven Robert Nieuport 17
Defining event
Takeoff: Runway excursion
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report October 24, 2018
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
General Aviation Accidents
Parties
FAA
FAA report
20180508014979A
Case key
97210

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

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

Findings · 3

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Aircraft capability: climb capabilityAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintainedDiven Robert NIEUPORT 17: 1 caseAll aircraft: 183 casesProbable cause
Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitudeEnvironmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operationDiven Robert NIEUPORT 17: 1 caseAll aircraft: 278 casesProbable cause

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

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.

Factual narrative

According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped bi-plane, 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 to the left when the tail lifted. He reported that the airplane became airborne but would not accelerate. The airplane remained in ground effect, collided with rising terrain, and subsequently nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder and the left main and sub-wings. The METAR at the airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 04° at 4 knots. The temperature was 81°F and the dew point was 27°F. The barometric setting was 30.12Hg and the airport elevation was 4,456ft. The density altitude was 6,742ft. 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.

Aircraft

Registration
N315BD
Reported as
Diven Robert Nieuport 17 (NO SERIES)
Category
Airplane, amateur-built
Serial number
046
Built
2018
Airframe hours
0
Engine
Subaru EA81, 60 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Experimental (Special)
Departed
LRU · Las Cruces, NM
Destination
LRU · Las Cruces, NM
Airport
LRU · Las Cruces Intl, runway 08, 6,069 × 100 ft, asphalt
Equipment
None

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
58
Injuries
Minor
Certificates
Private, Sport Pilot
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Waiver time limited special
Last flight review
September 7, 2017
Seat
Single
Restraint
4-point
Flight hours
71.5 total · 0.1 in this make and model · 28.7 as pilot in command

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
40° at 4 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Temperature
81 °F, dew point 27 °F
Altimeter
30.12 inHg
Observed at
KLRU

Docket · 2

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2018, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 3.9 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.