What happened
In May 2018, two separate fatal accidents involving powered aircraft took place within the Netherlands. On 22 May 2018, a Reims F172N departed from Rotterdam The Hague Airport to conduct a proficiency check with an examiner on board. While flying toward a low-flying area near Stolwijk, the aircraft struck several trees. The impact caused the left wing to detach, leading the aircraft to crash into the ground. The accident resulted in two fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.
Shortly thereafter, on 31 May 2018, a Piper Pawnee was operating at Breda International Airport. After successfully picking up an advertising banner, the aircraft crashed just outside the airport boundaries. The impact caused the aircraft to catch fire and be destroyed, resulting in one fatality for the unaccompanied pilot.
The investigation
The Dutch Safety Board (OVV) initiated investigations into both crashes to determine the circumstances surrounding the impacts. The investigation into the Reims F172N focused on the flight path and the sequence of events leading to the tree strike near Stolwijk. For the Piper Pawnee, the investigation examined the aircraft's maneuvers immediately following the banner pickup at Breda International Airport.