Finnish F/A-18 Hornet Crash: Pilot Safe, Investigation Underway

A Finnish Air Force fighter jet crashed near Rovaniemi airport on Wednesday. The pilot ejected before impact and was taken to the hospital for evaluation. Fortunately, there were no injuries on the ground.

Public broadcaster Yle reported a significant amount of smoke in the area following the crash. The local police cordoned off the site to ensure safety and facilitate an investigation into the cause of the crash.

Finland currently operates 62 Hornet fighter jets, which were acquired from 1992 to 2000. In 2021, the country decided on a fleet replacement, opting for Lockheed Martin F-35 fighters to enhance its capabilities in the future.

(With inputs from agencies.)