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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

June 8, 1993 · Drlik Falcon XC · N687RD

Albuquerque, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 8, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Aircraft
Drlik Falcon XC
Tail Number
N687RD
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW93LA181

THE PILOT/BUILDER STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED UNCOMMANDED AND UNCONTROLLABLE ROLL AND YAW DIVERSIONS AS THE AIRPLANE PASSED THROUGH GROUND EFFECT AFTER TAKEOFF ON ITS MAIDEN FLIGHT. THE PILOT THEN ATTEMPTED TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED HARD TO THE RIGHT OF THE EDGE OF THE RUNWAY AND THE GEAR AND WINGS COLLAPSED. IN HIS ACCIDENT REPORT, THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROTOTYPE DESIGN.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE EXTRANEOUS AND UNCOMMANDED ROLL AND YAW DEVIATIONS CAUSED BY INADEQUATE AIRPLANE DESIGN WHICH PRECLUDED THE PILOT FROM TAKING CORRECTIVE ACTION AND LED TO THE ENSUING HARD LANDING.

Full Narrative

On June 8, 1993, at approximately 0920 mountain daylight time, a Drlik Falcon XC experimental homebuilt airplane, N687RD, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing at Double Eagle II Airport near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The landing was attempted immediately after takeoff on what was to have been the maiden flight of the airplane. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the test flight. The pilot/builder stated he had made several successful taxi tests prior to the first flight. He further stated that as the airplane lifted off and passed through ground effect, he encountered a loss of roll and yaw control. He stated that the maximum height attained was between 50 feet and 100 feet above the ground. The instability continued and he elected to attempt a precautionary landing on the runway. The airplane landed hard about 72 feet right of the edge of the takeoff runway and the landing gear and wings collapsed. A 4 knot, left quartering cross wind existed at the time of the accident. In his accident report, the pilot stated that the airplane was a research and development prototype design.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:20 MDT
Nearest AirportDouble Eagle Ii (0nm)
Runway22
Runway Length7398 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDrlik Falcon XC
Tail NumberN687RD
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsHonda · 1500 · Reciprocating · 110
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 4 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 28 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data