It was first tried on 21 March 1907, when Blériot made a single taxiing trial which ended in the aircraft slewing round, causing the undercarriage to collapse and damaging the rudder and elevator. Two further ground trials were made, one on 26 March, causing similar damage, and another on 2 April, when the propeller was damaged. After this trial Blériot replaced the frontal rudder with a large, semi-circular one mounted on a frame reaching behind the propeller, and added a fin to the underside of the fuselage in front of the wing. He also added a third wheel, placed centrally and under the engine. On 5 April a further trial was made, and after a 100 m (305 ft) run the machine briefly left the ground. Concerned about his ability to control the aircraft in the stiff breeze that was blowing, Blériot cut the engine and landed, yet again damaging the undercarriage slightly. He had only flown around 6 m (20 ft), but nevertheless this was the first time one of his aircraft had successfully flown. More trials followed, the last on 19 April when, traveling at a speed of around 50 km/h (30 mph), the aircraft left the ground. Blériot over-responded when the nose began to rise and the machine hit the ground nose–first and somersaulted. It was largely destroyed and Blériot was fortunate to emerge unhurt.