What happened
In 2018, the Dutch Safety Board investigated a variety of aviation occurrences, including 13 accidents and 18 serious incidents. The majority of these events involved general aviation aircraft. Notable incidents included a mid-air near-miss between a Diamond DA-40 NG, registration PH-EGM, and an HOAC DV-20 Katana, registration PH-MFT, over the Flevopolder, where the aircraft came within 10 meters of each other.
Other significant events included a runway excursion involving an A-211 Aquila, registration G-GAEC, at Breda International Airport after the aircraft bounced several times during landing, causing the nose wheel to detach. In the general aviation sector, several fatal accidents were recorded, including a crash of a Pipistrel Alpha Electro near Onstwedde and a fatal crash of a Europa at Hilversum Airfield. Additionally, an Embraer EMB-120ER, registration EC-JBD, experienced a misaligned takeoff at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol after the crew misidentified runway edge lights as centerline lights.
The investigation
The Board examined several specific flight phases and operational errors. In the near-miss over the Flevopolder, radar data and flight information were used to determine that both aircraft were on a collision course at approximately 1,250 feet. The investigation into the Embraer EMB-120ER takeoff focused on infrastructural factors, such as the interruption of the runway centerline by taxiway S5 and the lack of centerline lighting on that taxiway, which contributed to the pilot's error.
Findings
- The near-miss between the PH-EGM and PH-MFT was attributed to the limitations of the see-and-avoid principle, as excellent visibility and sunlight reduced the effectiveness of anti-collision lights.
- The misaligned takeoff of the EC-JBD was caused by a combination of operational and infrastructural factors, including the pilot's misinterpretation of runway lights and potential distraction from air traffic control clearances.
- In one instance of a landing bounce, the pilot chose to continue the landing rather than performing a go-around despite the aircraft's instability.
Safety action
While specific new recommendations were not detailed for every incident in this summary, the Board emphasized that pilots must remain prepared to execute a go-around if a landing cannot be safely continued. The Board also highlighted the importance of continuous incident reporting within the industry to prevent future occurrences.