Finnish fighter jet crashed during training flight one year ago as investigation continues

A Finnish Air Force F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet crashed during a practice display flight near Rovaniemi one year ago, yet the official accident investigation remains unfinished, according to a report by Finnish broadcaster Yle.

The aircraft plunged to the ground on May 7, 2025, around 11:00 local time in a military area adjacent to Rovaniemi Airport. Witnesses described the jet flying low over the Syväsenvaara residential area before flipping upside down and disappearing behind a treeline. Moments later, a large plume of black smoke rose from the crash site, leaving the aircraft completely destroyed.

The pilot, identified as Paulus Kärnä, ejected safely before impact and sustained only minor injuries. He returned to flight duties—including display flying—just three months later, resuming operations in Rovaniemi. “The memory will stay with me for life, but it doesn’t affect me significantly,” Kärnä stated at the time.

The Finnish Air Force, which leads the investigation as the responsible military authority, now expects to conclude its findings by late May or June 2026. The probe involves military aviation experts, a psychologist, rescue service specialists, and technical data analysts. Local police assisted with on-site forensic examination.

Early analysis of the flight data recorder ruled out fleet-wide mechanical failures, shifting focus to potential human factors. These may include pilot actions or safety protocols related to the display flight program. The Air Force has not disclosed further details pending the final report.