What happened
On January 3, 2010, a Tecnam P2002-JF, registration PH-VHC, was completing a flight from Teuge to Hilversum. During the landing phase on runway 13, the pilot initially refrained from applying brakes due to concerns that the snow-covered runway might cause the aircraft to skid. Once the decision was made to use the brakes, the aircraft failed to decelerate.
As the aircraft reached the end of the runway, the pilot attempted a right-hand turn to avoid an adjacent ditch. The lateral forces exerted during this maneuver caused the left landing gear to collapse. The resulting impact caused the propeller and engine mount to strike the ground, resulting in heavy damage to the aircraft. The pilot and one passenger were able to exit the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The investigation, which was based on the written statement provided by the pilot, established that the aircraft was operating under visual flight rules in clear conditions, though temperatures were at minus seven degrees Celsius. The pilot held a valid Private Pilot License and medical certification at the time of the event. The investigation confirmed that the primary mechanical issue was the inability to utilize braking effectively on the slippery surface, which necessitated the high-speed turn that ultimately led to the structural failure of the landing gear.