Accident Overview
On May 22, 2018, at approximately 0930 UTC, a Reims Aviation F172N aircraft, registration PH-SBM, was destroyed when it impacted trees and terrain near Stolwijk, The Netherlands. The two pilots on board the airplane were fatally injured. The accident occurred during a foreign local personal flight that had departed from Rotterdam The Hague Airport (EHRD) near Rotterdam.
Aircraft and Flight
The aircraft was a Reims Aviation F172N, a license-built variant of the Cessna 172, manufactured by Reims Aviation in France. The registration PH-SBM indicates the aircraft was registered in the Netherlands. The flight was a personal travel operation conducted by a foreign pilot or pilots. The departure airport was Rotterdam The Hague Airport, located near Rotterdam in the Netherlands. No information regarding the intended destination or flight route was provided in available sources.
Investigation
This accident is under investigation by the government of the Netherlands, specifically the Dutch Safety Board. The Dutch Safety Board is the authority responsible for determining the circumstances and causes of the accident. Any further information regarding the investigation can be obtained from the Dutch Safety Board. As of the initial report, no probable cause has been determined.