A Finnish Air Force F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet crashed near Rovaniemi Airport shortly before 11:00 today. The pilot safely ejected and was taken to hospital; no ground injuries were reported.
Emergency services responded with ten rescue units, and the area around the airport has been closed, although civil air traffic remains unaffected.
Heavy smoke was seen in the area, and the cause of the crash is still under investigation, with one report suggesting the jet was flying too low. The Air Force will release more details later.
This marks the third accident involving a Hornet in Finland. The country is set to replace its Hornet fleet with F-35s starting in 2026.
Rovaniemellä maahan syöksynyt F/A-18 Hornet on pudonnut sotilasalueelle. Pelastustoimet ovat käynnissä ja alue on eristetty. Heittoistuimella pelastautunut lentäjä on toimitettu jatkotutkimuksiin terveydenhoidon piiriin. Lento-onnettomuuteen ei liity henkilövahinkoja maassa.
— Ilmavoimat (@FinnishAirForce) May 7, 2025