| Crash location | 32.289444°N, 106.921945°W |
| Nearest city | Las Cruces, NM
32.312316°N, 106.778337°W 8.5 miles away |
| Tail number | N315BD |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 08 May 2018 |
| Aircraft type | Diven Robert Nieuport 17 |
| Additional details: | None |
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.
The pilot’s failure to attain a positive climb rate after takeoff in high-density altitude conditions, which resulted in a collision with terrain.