Overview
On 22 May 2018, at 11:29 local time, a Reims Aviation S.A. F172N single-engine piston aeroplane, registration PH-SBM, crashed in the low flying area Gouda, near the town of Stolwijk, Netherlands. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants—a pilot and a pilot examiner—died in the accident. The flight was a proficiency check, and the aircraft had departed from Rotterdam The Hague Airport at 11:17.
Flight Details
The aircraft took off from Rotterdam The Hague Airport at 11:17 AM for a proficiency check. On board were the pilot and one pilot examiner. After leaving the control zone on a northeasterly heading, the aircraft set course for the Gouda low flying area.
Accident Sequence
In the low flying area southwest of Stolwijk, the aircraft performed a maneuver that caused it to lose altitude very rapidly. During this maneuver, the aircraft contacted several trees, resulting in separation of the left wing. The aircraft continued for approximately 200 meters before hitting the ground. The aircraft was completely destroyed.
Cause
The accident was caused by the aircraft entering vertical flight at a low altitude and the pilots not being able to execute a recovery maneuver that would have returned the aircraft from vertical to horizontal flight in time. It could not be established with certainty what caused the aircraft to enter vertical flight. While attempting recovery, the left wing struck trees, making a crash unavoidable.
Damage
The aircraft was destroyed. Additionally, trees were damaged and a ditch was polluted.