F/A-18 Hornet Fighter Jet Crashes in Finland, Pilot Ejects Safely

A Finnish Air Force F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet crashed near Rovaniemi Airport on May 7. The pilot ejected and survived.

The crash occurred around 11:00 a.m. within a military area, according to the Finnish Air Force.

The pilot was taken for medical evaluation following ejection. No civilian injuries were reported.

Rescue teams are working at the crash site, which has been cordoned off.

Yle, Finland’s public broadcaster, reported that a meeting of Nordic defense ministers scheduled in Rovaniemi was canceled due to the incident.

The aircraft involved appears to be a single-seat F/A-18C Hornet, as the Finnish Air Force also operates two-seat F/A-18D versions.

Initial reports suggest a technical failure may have caused the crash. An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause.

“The plane rose very high and rolled over, as if on its back. Then a few seconds passed and I saw a cloud of black smoke. I didn’t see fire, only black smoke,” one eyewitness said.

The aircraft reportedly flew at a low altitude over a residential area, which is unusual for military flights in that region.

In 2023, Finland considered supplying some of its F/A-18 Hornets to Ukraine.

The Finnish Air Force currently operates 61 F/A-18s. The fleet is scheduled to be phased out beginning in 2025.

Finland has ordered 64 U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets as replacements, with deliveries expected in 2026.