Overview of 2018 Occurrences
The Dutch Safety Board is required by law to investigate all serious incidents and accidents involving civilian aircraft in the Netherlands. In 2018, eighteen serious incidents and thirteen accidents were reported to the Board. The majority of investigations are still ongoing. The Board also assisted foreign investigation bodies on eighteen occasions, involving occurrences with Dutch registration or Dutch manufacturers.
General Aviation Statistics
In general aviation, almost all accidents and twelve of the eighteen serious incidents involved aircraft from that category. The other six serious incidents involved passenger aircraft, a business jet, and a helicopter. Five of these occurred at or near Amsterdam Airport Schiphol: a runway incursion, a non-stabilised approach, insufficient thrust during take-off, loss of separation between two aircraft, and minimum separation exceeded in the ILS area of runway 22.
Of general aviation occurrences reported, 52% occurred during cruise flight, 20% during landing, 12% during take-off, and the remaining during climb and approach. No serious incidents or accidents occurred during engine start-up, taxiing, or descent.
The three most frequently reported types were airprox/near-miss (10 times), loss of control during flight (6 times), and engine failure followed by emergency landing (3 times). The emergency landings resulted in no injuries and only minor damage.
Specific Incidents
Airprox Incidents near Noordkop Glider Centre
Two airprox incidents were reported near the new Noordkop glider airfield, operational since 22 September 2018. On 5 October 2018, a single-person ASW 24 glider saw a RV-12 motorised aircraft approximately 30 metres below. The RV-12 pilot saw the glider at the last moment and was unaware of the glider airfield. On 21 October 2018, a Discus glider and a Cessna 182RG passed with an estimated vertical separation of 40 metres; the motorised pilot did not see the glider. A NOTAM was published on 22 September warning of gliding activities and winch cables up to 1800 feet AAL.
Crash of Pipistrel Alpha Electro
On 13 October 2018, a Pipistrel Alpha Electro, an electrically powered microlight, crashed while in the circuit of Stadskanaal airfield. The pilot, the sole occupant, was killed. The aircraft was completely destroyed by fire.
Loss of Propeller on Tipsy Nipper
On 18 October 2018, during a flight near Weesp, the pilot of a Tipsy Nipper felt mild vibration and observed a rise in engine speed. After closing and reselecting throttle, no thrust was felt, and the pilot noticed the propeller missing. An emergency landing was made in a field; the pilot was uninjured and the aircraft suffered no further damage.
Crash of Europa Aviation Limited Europa
On 15 December 2018, a Europa aircraft crashed at Hilversum Airfield shortly after takeoff from grass runway 13. The pilot, the only person on board, was killed.
Fatalities and Injuries
In the Netherlands, five people were killed and one was injured in general aviation accidents. One Dutch national died abroad when a twin-engined aircraft crashed at Münster-Osnabrück airport in Germany.