Amateur-built NIEUPORT 17 accident near Las Cruces, New Mexico, May 8, 2018
On May 8, 2018 at about 3:15 pm local time, a 2018 amateur-built NIEUPORT 17, registered N315BD, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Las Cruces, New Mexico (Las Cruces Intl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to attain a positive climb rate after takeoff in high-density altitude conditions, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 8, 2018 · about 3:15 pm local time
- Place
- Las Cruces, New Mexico · Las Cruces Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built NIEUPORT 17 NO SERIES, built 2018
- Registration
- N315BD · no longer on the register · serial 046
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff
- Runway excursion during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
- Nose over/nose down during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Climb capability › Not attained/maintained
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High density altitude › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 71.5 hours in all; 0.1 in this make and model; 28.7 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 7, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (waiver time limited special)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 0 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 950 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru EA81 (piston); 7 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LRU Las Cruces NM at 3:14 pm
- Destination: LRU Las Cruces NM
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 08, 6,069 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 11,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 3:15 pm from KLRU
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on September 17, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.