What happened
In May 2018, two separate fatal accidents involving powered aircraft occurred in the Netherlands. The first involved a Reims F172N that departed Rotterdam The Hague Airport for a proficiency check. While flying near Stolwijk, the aircraft's left wing struck several trees, causing the wing to detach and the aircraft to crash, resulting in two fatalities.
Shortly after, a Piper Pawnee crashed near Breda International Airport. The accident occurred immediately after the aircraft had successfully picked up an advertising banner. The impact caused the aircraft to catch fire and be destroyed, resulting in the death of the unaccompanied pilot.
Other notable incidents included a runway excursion involving a New Piper PA-28-181 at Breda International Airport, where the aircraft veered off the runway and through airport fencing, and a landing gear collapse of a Bombardier DHC8-Q402, registration G-JECP, at Amsterdam Airport Schip and during which the aircraft rolled onto its side.
The investigation
The Dutch Safety Board examined several technical failures and procedural lapses. In the case of the G-JECP landing gear collapse, investigators determined that a bent yoke prevented the gear from being fully locked. In a separate incident involving an LS 4-b glider, investigators found that a manufacturer-issued modification to the air brake lever had been installed incorrectly, leading to the lever detaching during flight.
Regarding air traffic safety, the Board reviewed reports of near-collisions between gliders and parachutists near Teuge. The investigation highlighted that while radio broadcasts are used to warn pilots of parachute drops, the lack of a required read-back mechanism means pilots cannot be certain the message was received.
Findings
- The Reims F172N accident was caused by the impact with trees during low-level flight.
- The LS 4-b glider experienced a mechanical failure because the air brake modification was not installed in accordance with manufacturer instructions.
- A PH-DHA Aquila AT01 incident was attributed to a pilot failing to notice a tow bar still attached to the nose wheel during a walk-around inspection, partly because the inspection was performed too early in the hangar.
- In a Boeing 737-800, registration PH-HXA, severe turbulence caused injuries to cabin crew because the 'fasten seatbelts' sign had been activated only seconds before the impact and the crew were not yet seated.