The list below sets out the most noteworthy and relevant incidents of the past few months. If you want to know about incidents that have occurred, you can contact the SCMM.

Tow bar not removed before flight

During a flight at Lelystad Airport, the tow bar on the PH-BRI was left on the nose wheel. Flying the aircraft with the tow bar still attached is very dangerous and could lead to the tow bar striking the propeller. Fortunately, the pilot was able to land the aircraft without any damage to the aircraft.

This is the second time the tow bar of the BRI was not removed before the aircraft started moving. In both cases, the pilots were notified by ATC (once during taxi, once in flight).

Always remove the tow bar immediately after moving the aircraft manually

You can place the tow bar in the storage compartment behind the seats or next to the nose wheel

Always perform a walkaround before getting into the aircraft and check where the tow bar is

Flat tire on the PH-VEX

The right main gear tire of the PH-VEX deflated during the landing roll. Probably due to (unconsciously) stepping on the brake pedal during touchdown.

Always make sure your feet are not touching the brakes during touchdown. Don’t lift your feet while operating the pedals. Keep your heels on the floor and use your toes for yawing.

Always check the condition of the entire tire during the preflight inspection. This means that aircraft with fairings (PH-VEX and PH-BRI) must be moved a few times during the walkaround so the tires can be checked all the way around

After the incident, be available to the airport authorities to help move the aircraft off the runway (in case the aircraft is still on the runway). You can call E-Flight (055 203 2230) for instructions if needed

Two tailstrikes

We had two tailstrikes over the past few months. One was during a soft field takeoff, and one during a SEFATO (Simulated Engine Failure After Take Off). In both cases there was no significant damage to the aircraft.

Please be aware of the higher risk of a tailstrike during these exercises

Follow the SOPs closely when performing them for safe operations and to prevent a tailstrike

Passenger throws up during flight

During a rental flight on a Velis, the passengers threw up between Sierra and downwind. The PIC got distracted by this and therefore was not aware of other circuit traffic while joining downwind, resulting in an airprox.

Make sure there is always a sick bag on board during flight

If you don’t see a sick bag during the preflight inspection, or you have used one during your flight: you can find new ones in the cabinet next to the logbooks

If there are distractions during the approach phase of your flight, you can always go around and / or return to Sierra (in case of EHTE)

Two aircraft got off the runway due to the student 'freezing'

During the roll on the runway, the student panicked and pressed the brake / rudder pedal, and the FI was unable to keep the aircraft in a straight line. This has happened twice in the past few months. One time the aircraft left the runway during the landing roll and the other time the takeoff was aborted.

Be aware that this can always happen, even at low speeds on the ground

Always do the IMSAFE check before flight

As a student or renter: do not go flying when you are not fully fit to fly, even if you are not Pilot in Command

Don’t leave the fuel cart unattended

A student and instructor completed a fuel uplift, after which the instructor moved the fuel cart clear to allow the aircraft to manoeuvre onto the parking area. The instructor then went inside the hangar to put back the fire extinguisher while the student moved the aircraft forward. Within 10–15 seconds, the unattended fuel cart rolled approximately 7 metres toward the grass. Upon returning outside, the instructor noticed the movement and retrieved the cart before any damage occurred.

Be aware that there is a slight slope in the platform in front of the hangar and that

Use the wheel chock of the fuel cart to prevent it from rolling away

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Please read this article from ILT about the dangers of flying too close to (hang/para-)gliding activities and what you can do to help prevent this from happening.

Background

The Dutch CAA (ILT) has published an article about the risks of flying near airfields with (hang/para-)gliding activities. In recent months alone, ILT received over twenty reports concerning unauthorised flight paths through paragliding zones and across winch-launch sites—incidents carrying significant collision risks with parachutists, gliders, and retrieval cables. Since aircraft operating at those airfields are significantly more difficult to see, this can easily lead to incidents.

Please read the full article via this link:

Key points

The key things you can do as a pilot are:

Check during flight preparation where other flight activities are taking place. Use the paper VFR chart and NOTAMs when the digital tools are unclear

Keep your distance from winch-launch sites and parachute drop zones

Ensure two-way radio contact with local traffic

Report and discuss (potentially) dangerous situations

Avoid flying into active military CTRs (Control Zones). If you want to cross a military area, check before flight or during flight via Dutch Mill whether the area is active

Required actions

Concrete action item one

Concrete action item two

Further reading

Link to checklist or related document

Link to regulation or external reference

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A relative high number of air proximity incidents have been reported lately. Almost all of them happened at Teuge on downwind or in the approach towards downwind from Sierra.

Background

A relative high number of air proximity incidents have been reported lately. Almost all of them happened at Teuge on downwind or in the approach towards downwind from Sierra.

We also had comments from other airport users about the poor visibility of the Velis. As you probably know, we have installed strobe lights to the wing tips of the Dutch Velis aircraft to increase the visibility for other pilots. They are not placed on the French aircraft, but once they are replaced by our own Dutch aircraft, all the Velis will have strobe lights.

Key points

Don’t assume that the other aircraft will follow the right procedure or that he/she heard your radio call

Always report in Wings SMS when an encounter with another aircraft was ‘too close for comfort’

Report to ILT (ABL) in case of a really dangerous situation

The SCMM will report it to the airport (in case of EHTE)

Use the strobe lights for the Velis

Required actions

Concrete action item one

Concrete action item two

Further reading

Link to checklist or related document

Link to regulation or external reference

Questions about this update? Email

A fatal crash involving a Pipistrel Velis happened at the airport of Poitiers (France)

Background

On March 19, at approximately 11:30 hours, a Pipistrel Velis aircraft caught fire during takeoff and crashed at the French airport in Poitiers. The sole occupant of the aircraft was killed in the incident.

The cause of the accident has not yet been determined, and we will not speculate on this matter.

E-Flight closely monitors media coverage of such incidents. The Velis is a relatively new aircraft featuring a propulsion system that is unique in aviation. Consequently, should any issues arise with this technology, we wish to become aware of them as promptly as possible.

Key points

Most important takeaway

Second key point

Third key point

Required actions

Concrete action item one

Concrete action item two

Further reading

Link to checklist or related document

Link to regulation or external reference

Questions about this update? Email