What happened
On 16 November 2022, a Cirrus SR22 was performing a non-commercial cross-country flight from Mönchengladbach Airport in Germany toward Cambridge City Airport in the United Kingdom. While cruising at 10,000 feet over the Zeelandic Flanders region, the pilot detected engine vibrations. In response to these vibrations, the pilot initiated a diversion to Ostend-Bruges Airport in Belgium.
Shortly after the decision to divert, the aircraft suffered a complete loss of its propeller while flying over the Netherlands. Following the mechanical failure, the pilot activated the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System. The aircraft descended via parachute into a field near Damme, Belgium. While the aircraft sustained substantial damage upon impact, the pilot escaped the incident without any injuries.
The investigation
Because the propeller detachment occurred within Dutch airspace, the responsibility for the safety investigation was delegated to the Dutch Safety Board. Investigators have since recovered and examined the propeller to determine the mechanics of the failure. As of late 2024, the investigation has progressed into the analysis phase, with a final report anticipated in the second half of 2025.