# NTSB GAA18CA266: Diven Robert Nieuport 17, N315BD, Las Cruces, NM, May 8, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 8, 2018, 09:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Las Cruces, NM - Coordinates: 32.289443, -106.921943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2894&lon=-106.9219&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97210 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA266 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97210/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97210 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA266 ## 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 NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Diven Robert NIEUPORT 17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056343P), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Diven Robert NIEUPORT 17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=056343P), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Diven Robert NIEUPORT 17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=056343P), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Diven Robert NIEUPORT 17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=056343P), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Diven Robert NIEUPORT 17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056343P), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Diven Robert NIEUPORT 17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056343P), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Diven Robert NIEUPORT 17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=056343P), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N315BD-2019-01-11), registration cancelled 2019-01-11, S/N 046, built 2018 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DIVEN ROBERT NIEUPORT 17 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Diven Robert NIEUPORT 17](https://openairdocs.org/model/diven-robert-nieuport-17) (registry code 056343P) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Subaru EA-81](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-ea-81) (registry code 59052, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 046 - Year built: 2018 - Airframe hours: 0 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; 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 ## 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 20180508014979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180508014979A), May 8, 2018: Robert Diven NIEUPORT 17, Las Cruces, NM, Substantial damage. On may 08, 2018, at 08:47 MST, an nieuport 17, N315BD, [privacy data omitted] ran off the runway during takeoff, approximately 800 feet from the thresholds… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97210. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466726&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 175 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466727&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.