Willem-Jan Mastenbroek and his team were carrying out detailed maintenance on aircraft at Breda International Airport through the family-run company Mastenbroek Aeroskill. The business, which began at Seppe more than 50 years ago, maintains around 40 aircraft a year, including sport and business aircraft from across Europe. Maintenance can take from a morning to several weeks and includes checks of controls, cracks, corrosion, fuel systems and other components, with all replacements certified and critical work checked by a second technician.

The aircraft of the First Dutch Parachutists Club, also known as Skydive ENPC, was being inspected and was described as being in excellent condition. After the checks and signatures were completed, it was expected to leave the hangar in time for the weekend's parachute jumps. Mastenbroek said the company currently had a predominantly male workforce and that women were welcome to join the profession.