What happened
In May 2018, two separate fatal accidents involving powered aircraft occurred within the Netherlands. On May 22, 2018, a Reims F172N departed from Rotterdam The Hague Airport to conduct a proficiency check with an examiner on board. While flying in the low-flying area near Stolwijk, the aircraft's left wing struck several trees. The impact caused the wing to detach, and the aircraft subsequently crashed into the ground, resulting in two fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.
Shortly after, on May 31, 2018, a Piper Pawnee was operating at Breda International Airport. After successfully picking up an advertising banner, the aircraft crashed just outside the airport boundaries. The impact caused the aircraft to catch fire and be destroyed, resulting in one fatality for the unaccompanied pilot.
The investigation
The Dutch Safety Board (OVV) launched investigations into both crashes to determine the circumstances surrounding the impacts. The investigation into the Reims F172N focused on the flight path through the low-flying area and the sequence of the collision with the trees. For the Piper Pawnee, the investigation examined the aircraft's maneuvers immediately following the banner retrieval and the subsequent impact outside the airfield perimeter.