What happened
During the first quarter of 2016, several notable aviation incidents occurred involving both commercial and general aviation. In early January, a Cirrus SR20, registration G-ZOGT, disappeared from radar over the North Sea while en route from the UK to Germany; the pilot was later found deceased following a search operation.
At Amsterdam Airport Schip and, several other incidents occurred at Schiphol. A Boeing 737-800 required a longer runway than calculated during take-off in Lisbon, while an Embraer 120 cargo aircraft, registration EC-JBD, struck runway lights during departure from Schiphol, causing damage to its propeller and fuselage. Additionally, a runway incursion occurred on February 28, when a tug combination pulling a Boeing 787-9, registration PH-BHD, crossed an active runway while an aircraft was cleared to land.
In the general aviation sector, a Piper PA-28161, registration PH-VFA, crashed in a field before the runway at Texel International Airport during a landing attempt. The aircraft's landing gear collapsed after hitting a ditch. Furthermore, a Cirrus SR22T, registration N860PC, experienced a loss of control during a go-around at Schiphol, resulting in heavy damage after the aircraft came to rest in the grass.
The investigation
The Dutch Safety Board (OVV) examined these occurrences to identify structural safety issues. For the G-ZOGT accident, the Board collaborated with the Portuguese authorities. In the Schiphol incidents, investigators reviewed air traffic control communications, runway inspections, and pilot flight preparations. For the PH-VFA accident, the investigation focused on the pilot's visual perception and the impact of environmental conditions on the approach.