A Finnish Air Force F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet crashed on Wednesday morning near Rovaniemi Airport in northern Finland. The incident occurred around 11:00 a.m. local time in a military area close to the airport, which is located near the Arctic Circle.
The pilot successfully ejected from the aircraft and was promptly located by rescue teams. He was transported to a medical facility for further examination, with no serious injuries reported. Authorities confirmed that no one on the ground was harmed during the crash.
Smoke was seen rising from the crash site, and local police quickly cordoned off the area to facilitate rescue and investigation efforts. The road leading to the airport was temporarily closed, but the airport itself remains operational, with no immediate impact on civilian flights.
The crash happened during a high-profile Nordic Defence Ministers meeting taking place in Rovaniemi, which led to the cancellation of some scheduled events, including a conscript training observation.
Finland operates a fleet of 62 F/A-18 Hornet fighters acquired between 1992 and 2000. The country is in the process of modernizing its air force with the upcoming introduction of Lockheed Martin F-35 fighters, ordered in 2021.
An investigation into the cause of the crash has been launched by Finnish military authorities. Rescue operations and security measures remain ongoing at the site.