What happened
On June 16, 2007, three aircraft belonging to a French flying club were conducting a planned international flight from Hoogeven, Netherlands, to Oskarshamn, Sweden. Due to deteriorating weather conditions, the group performed an unplanned safety landing at the Seedorf airfield. Following the landing, the pilots inspected the runway, which was a short grass strip that had become wet and soft due to recent rainfall.
Two of the aircraft departed first, flying westward into the wind. The third aircraft, an Avions Pierre Robin DR 400-160, departed shortly after with three occupants. The aircraft utilized the grass area east of the runway to assist with the takeoff. While the first two aircraft circled the airfield to wait for the third, they eventually departed for Lüneburg after a delay.
At approximately 13:10, a witness observed smoke rising near the airfield. The aircraft was later discovered by police at 16:30, located approximately 150 meters northeast of the end of runway 06 in a wooded area. The impact of the aircraft caused an explosive fire that completely destroyed the airframe. All three fatalities occurred during the accident.
The investigation
The BFU examined the wreckage and the site conditions. The investigation found that the aircraft's right wing made initial contact with trees at an altitude of approximately 5 meters, causing the wing to break between the aileron and the flap. The wing remained caught in the trees, while the fuselage struck the ground nose-first 13 meters away, triggering the fire.
Investigators found no evidence of technical failure in the aircraft's control surfaces or components. Medical examinations and toxicology reports of the occupants showed no signs of impairment or underlying health issues that contributed to the accident. The investigation also noted that no radio contact was established with air traffic control or flight information services during the takeoff.