Neerstorten

Neerstorten is a Dutch verb meaning to crash or to fall violently to the ground, typically as a result of loss of control. The term is commonly used for aircraft that descend rapidly and uncontrollably, but it can also describe other vehicles or objects that plunge and land abruptly. In aviation reporting, neerstorten emphasizes the violent end of a flight and the impact with the ground or water.

Grammatically, neerstorten is a separable compound verb formed from neer (down) and storten (to plunge). In the present tense the verb is usually used as het vliegtuig stort neer. The simple past form is het vliegtuig stortte neer, while the past participle is neergestort, as in het vliegtuig is neergestort. The noun form neerstorting can refer to the act or event of a crash.

Usage and nuance: neerstorten conveys a sudden, violent impact and is typically reserved for accidents with little chance of recovery, especially aircraft crashes. For structural failures or buildings that collapse due to internal failure or external forces, the more general term instorten is common. The term has direct English equivalents such as crash or crash-landing, though neerstorten is more formal and specific to a downward violent descent.

Examples: Het vliegtuig stort neer boven de zee. Het vliegtuig is neergestort na een technische storing. See also: instorten, crash (viation).