What happened
In May 2018, two separate fatal accidents involving powered aircraft took place within the Netherlands. On 22 May 2018, a Reims F172N departed from Rotterdam The Hague Airport to conduct a proficiency check with an examiner on board. While flying toward a low-flying area near Stolwijk, the aircraft struck several trees. The impact caused the left wing to detach, leading the aircraft to crash into the ground a short distance later. The accident resulted in two fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.
In a separate incident on 31 May 2018, a Piper Pawnee was operating at Breda International Airport. Shortly after the aircraft successfully picked up an advertising banner, it crashed just outside the airport boundaries. The aircraft caught fire and was destroyed upon impact. The pilot, who was flying unaccompanied, was killed in the crash.
The investigation
The Dutch Safety Board (OVV) launched investigations into both occurrences to identify the underlying causes and prevent future recurrences. The investigation into the Reims F1 and2N focused on the flight path and the sequence of events leading to the collision with the trees during the proficiency check.