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Home NATIONALMetal fatigue causes Jämijärvi plane crash
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Fri, 17 Apr, 2015 12:06:56 AM
Investigation report on 2014 plane crash published
Five recommendations including tightening regulations made
FTimes-Xinhua-STT Report, April 17
 
Ismo Aaltonen, the head of the Jämijärvi plane crash investigation committee disclosed the report at a press conference in Helsinki on Thursday. Photo – Lehtikuva.
Investigators have determined that a fracture resulting from metal fatigue caused the crash that claimed the lives of eight parachuters in Jämijärvi in April 2014, reported news agency Xinhua.
 
Eight of the 10 parachuters on board the small passenger plane were killed in the crash in Jämijärvi of southwest Finland on April 20, 2014.
 
The aircraft was a Comp Air 8 built from components purchased as a kit from the US manufacturer.  The hobbyist builders in Finland had made changes in the wings without asking for a written permission from the Finnish Transport Safety Agency, according to the final investigation report published on Thursday.
 
The fatigue-based fracture had formed over a longer period of time and could not be detected in regular maintenance.
 
While the leading investigator Ismo Aaltonen said on Thursday the accident was not the fault of the pilot, it was believed the pilot had only limited experience in flying an efficient turbo prop and had not received enough training.
 
The pilot and two parachuters were able to exit the aircraft before it crashed, but eight others were killed in what was considered the deadliest air crash in this Nordic country in the last 30 years. 
 
The Investigators examined the wreckage after the accident in April 2014. File Photo – Lehtikuva.
News agency STT adds: The Safety Investigation Authority has issued five recommendations after concluding investigations into the Jämijärvi plane crash.
 
The Transport Safety Agency-Trafi has been advised to limit, if necessary, the seating capacity of aircraft built for recreation and the use of parachutes. 
 
Furthermore, the agency has been asked to ensure that Suomen Ilmailuliitto ry, Finnish Aeronautical Association, prepare a model of instructions including training programmes and testing intended for skydivers.
 
In addition, Trafi has been asked to ensure that the experience and training of supervisors and examiners involved in construction work of recreation aircraft meet the requirements in construction work as well as in the changes in the regulation requirements.
 
Veli-Pekka Nurmi spoke on the investigation report at the press conference on Thursday. Photo – Lehtikuva.
The European Aviation Safety Agency has also been advised to draft a comprehensive theoretic guideline and flight training requirements for parachuting.
 
On the part of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the psychosocial support preparedness, resources, responsibilities, and competent management in the aftermath of a serious accident should be provided irrespective of where the accident has taken place or where the parties involved hail from. 
 
The same recommendation was issued to the ministry after the Kauhajoki school shooting in 2008.
 
Eight people died after a light aircraft crashed near Jämijärvi Airfield in April last year.
 
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