A Finnish Air Force F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet crashed near Rovaniemi Airport in Finland’s Arctic north on Wednesday morning, prompting a swift emergency response and temporarily shutting down road access to the area. The crash occurred around 11:00 am local time (0800 GMT), according to a statement released by Finland’s military authorities.
The single-seat fighter aircraft was reportedly on a routine training flight when the incident happened. The pilot successfully ejected from the aircraft and was promptly rescued. No injuries to civilians or personnel on the ground have been reported.
Emergency services, including fire and rescue units, were quickly dispatched to the scene after dark smoke was seen rising from the crash site. Public service broadcaster YLE reported that police had cordoned off the area, and the main road leading to Rovaniemi Airport was closed as a precautionary measure.
The cause of the crash remains unknown. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the accident. In their official communication, the Finnish military emphasized that further details would be shared as the inquiry progresses.
Rovaniemi, located just south of the Arctic Circle, serves as a key base for the Finnish Air Force and hosts the Lapland Air Command. The F/A-18 Hornet is a twin-engine, supersonic combat aircraft that has been the backbone of Finland’s air defense fleet since the 1990s.
Despite the proximity of the crash to a civilian airport, airport operator Finavia told AFP that no immediate disruption to commercial air travel was expected. The next civilian flight was not scheduled for several hours, allowing investigators and emergency crews to work without affecting passenger operations.
This is not the first incident involving an F/A-18 in Finland, though such crashes are rare. As the investigation unfolds, the Finnish Defence Forces are likely to review flight safety protocols to prevent future occurrences.
The incident has sparked public interest due to its location near a major Arctic town, but thanks to quick action by the pilot and rescue teams, a potentially tragic situation was averted.
