Otkes blames procedural failures for Helsinki airport collision

Finland’s Accident Investigation Centre says failures to follow instructions contributed to a propeller aircraft collision at Helsinki Airport more than a year ago, Yle reported.

The ATR-500 began moving unexpectedly on the apron and struck a ground power unit. The immediate cause was that the aircraft’s parking brake had not been engaged.

No one was injured. A ground-handling worker escaped by running out from beneath the aircraft. The Finnair plane had been due to fly to Gdansk, Poland.

Investigators found shortcomings at every stage of the process, from towing the aircraft to its parking stand through to the end of the rescue authorities’ actions, according to investigation leader Janne Kotiranta. The cockpit crew’s actions after the collision were also partly inadequate.