The Air Force has assembled a team to investigate the fatal collision of two Hawk-jets on a training flight at the Air Force's Training Air Wing in Central Ostrobothnia’s Kauhava. The collision took place around nearby Perho. The killed pilot was an experienced pilot trainer.
The investigation team started work on Wednesday evening, but is officially appointed on Thursday morning. The investigation proper will start as the day dawns, and this will include interviews with pilots who survived the crash.
Head of the investigation, Mikko Pekkala, told Yle that both crashed aircraft were badly damaged, and beyond repair.
One of the pilots ejected from the plane and is now in hospital care. According to Pekkala, he is in a stable condition.
Apart from the two jets that collided, a third Hawk also took part in the disastrous training flight, but this landed safely.
Personnel at Kauhava’s Air Force school are gathering this morning for a session, where they are offered crisis counselling.