Aircraft Disintegration Near Moerdijk After Severe Turbulence (PH-CHI)

Incident Overview and Timeline During a preflight briefing approximately 44 minutes before departure, the crew was advised of a low-pressure area south of Rotterdam featuring thunderstorm activity and turbulence. The aircraft departed Rotterdam Airport at 1704 local time and climbed southward along its assigned departure route. At 1709 local time, the crew identified heavy rainfall and thunderstorms on the weather radar and received clearance to alter heading to avoid the weather system. Three minutes later, the aircraft entered a zone characterized by heavy altitude downdrafts and updrafts accompanied by severe turbulence. The resulting aerodynamic loads increased to +6.8 G and -3.2 G, compromising the structural integrity of the airframe, particularly the right wing, from which a large portion separated. From an altitude of 3,000 feet, the aircraft entered a dive and disintegrated upon impact with a highway crossing near Moerdijk. All 17 occupants were killed.