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Fatal loss of control accident with Pipistrel Alpha Electro near Stadskanaal airfield, Netherlands

[FATALITY]

Oct 13, 2018 · Pipistrel · Velis Electro · Dayton, Ohio, USA

All Incidents

Failure Mode

FATALITY

Event Date

Oct 13, 2018

Primary Entity

Pipistrel

Robotic Platform

Velis Electro

Jurisdiction / Location

Dayton, Ohio, USA

Audit Standard

Physical State Verified

Incident Abstract & Audit Findings

On 13 October 2018, an Italian-registered Pipistrel Alpha Electro (I-D057) crashed near Stadskanaal airfield in the Netherlands, killing the sole pilot. The Dutch Safety Board determined the accident was caused by a low airspeed situation close to stall speed, leading to a stall and incipient spin from which the aircraft did not recover.

System & Fleet Architecture

Operating Manufacturer

PipistrelView Manufacturer

Hardware Platform

Velis Electro

Operational Sectors

Physical AI / Robotics

Primary Sources & Evidentiary Filings

  • https://onderzoeksraad.nl/en/onderzoek/fatal-loss-of-control-pipistrel-alpha-electro-near-stadskanaal/

    https://onderzoeksraad.nl/en/onderzoek/fatal-loss-of-control-pipistrel-alpha-electro-near-stadskanaal/

  • https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/216236

    https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/216236

Related Incidents & Failure Precedents

6 records on file

Incident Context & FAQ

What happened in Fatal loss of control accident with Pipistrel Alpha Electro near Stadskanaal airfield, Netherlands?

On 13 October 2018, an Italian-registered Pipistrel Alpha Electro (I-D057) crashed near Stadskanaal airfield in the Netherlands, killing the sole pilot. The Dutch Safety Board determined the accident was caused by a low airspeed situation close to stall speed, leading to a stall and incipient spin from which the aircraft did not recover. Contributing factors included the aircraft's full-span flaperons, unusual landing configuration of +25° flaps on base leg, lack of a stall warning system, and the pilot's limited experience with the Alpha Electro. The aircraft caught fire post-impact and was destroyed. This was the first accident worldwide with a Pipistrel Alpha Electro and the first with an electric-powered aircraft in the Netherlands.

When did this incident occur?

The incident is recorded as occurring on October 13, 2018 on the DEPLOY registry. The date reflects the underlying real-world event, not the registry record's creation date.

What robot was involved in Fatal loss of control accident with Pipistrel Alpha Electro near Stadskanaal airfield, Netherlands?

Velis Electro by Pipistrel is the recorded robot involved in this incident at Dayton, Ohio, USA.

Has anyone responded to Fatal loss of control accident with Pipistrel Alpha Electro near Stadskanaal airfield, Netherlands?

No responses to this incident are recorded on the DEPLOY registry. Operators, manufacturers, or affected parties can submit responses to the editorial team; absence is not a guarantee no response was issued.

What is the current status of Fatal loss of control accident with Pipistrel Alpha Electro near Stadskanaal airfield, Netherlands?

This incident is an active record on the DEPLOY registry; no retraction or correction has been issued.