What happened
On April 15, 2006, an Air Creation Mild GT 582 ES microlight aircraft, registration PH-2N7, was involved in a fatal accident at Stadskendala Airport (EHST). The flight was intended to be a proficiency check for a recreational flight instructor. The flight originated from Haren-Dankern, Germany, and the aircraft arrived at the Dutch airfield without incident.
The flight was structured as a role-play exercise: a qualified examiner sat in the front seat acting as a student, while the instructor sat in the rear seat to evaluate the examiner's instructional capabilities. Prior to takeoff, the crew established communication protocols, including non-verbal signals to indicate when control of the aircraft should be transferred.
During the takeoff roll on runway 06, the aircraft became airborne at approximately 17:45 local time. Shortly after liftoff, at an altitude of roughly 15 meters, the instructor in the rear seat noticed the examiner in the front seat was gripping the control bar with extreme tension. As engine power began to decrease, the instructor attempted to take control by signaling the examiner and increasing throttle. However, the examiner failed to respond and continued to pull the control bar toward himself, causing the aircraft to veer sharply to the right. The aircraft entered a descending turn, striking the edge of a hangar roof. The impact resulted in one fatality and one injury, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The investigation, based on data provided by the Dutch Aviation Police, focused on the actions of the crew and the physical state of the examiner. The examiner was an experienced pilot with a background in the Royal Netherlands Air Force and was medically certified under Class I standards. Notably, the examiner had completed a separate proficiency check in a conventional aircraft just prior to this flight and appeared fit.
An autopsy of the examiner was conducted to determine if any medical emergency contributed to the loss of control. While no evidence of a recent heart attack was found, the autopsy revealed pre-existing heart muscle damage. The investigation examined the mechanics of the microlight trike, noting that steering is achieved through weight shifting via a horizontal control bar that can be operated from either seat.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was likely a sudden medical event affecting the pilot in the front seat.
- It is probable that the examiner became incapacitated, potentially leading to his foot slipping from the throttle pedal.
- The examiner's failure to respond to verbal and non-verbal signals prevented the instructor from regaining control of the aircraft's trajectory.
- The physical tension observed in the examiner's grip on the control bar suggests a loss of coordinated movement immediately preceding the crash.