Finnish Fighter Jet Crashes Near Arctic Circle – Pilot Safely Rescued

The pilot of a Finnish fighter jet that crashed today (07.05.2025) near the Rovaniemi airport in northern Finland has been found alive. The pilot successfully ejected from the F/A-18 Hornet aircraft, according to an announcement by the Finnish Air Force. During a test flight for an airshow demonstration, the aircraft experienced difficulties. Fortunately, before the crash, the pilot managed to use the ejection seat and landed safely within the perimeter of the airbase. According to Timo Häränen, spokesperson for the Finnish Air Force, speaking to the French Press Agency (AFP), the pilot survived the ejection with only minor injuries. An investigation team is currently assessing the circumstances surrounding the accident, although the exact cause remains undisclosed until further findings are revealed. The F/A-18 Hornet, part of the Finnish military fleet, crashed at the Rovaniemi airport around 11:00 local time. Eyewitness Mika Lehtiniemi, cited by state broadcaster Yle, reported seeing the aircraft flying unusually low over residential areas before suddenly ascending and crashing, causing black smoke to rise into the sky. Thankfully, no ground casualties were reported, and civilian flights at Rovaniemi airport remained unaffected. A joint investigation with the Finnish Air Force will commence once rescue operations conclude, stated Junni Koivunen, an official from the Lapland Police Department. The Finnish Air Force acquired its fleet of Boeing F/A-18 Hornets between 1995 and 2000, with plans to replace them by 2030 with Lockheed Martin’s F-35s.