N687RD

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.