Finnish Air Force Resumes Hornet Solo Display Following May 7 Crash
In a striking testament to resilience, the Finnish Air Force has announced the return of its F/A-18 Hornet Solo Display, just days after a dramatic crash on May 7, 2025, near Rovaniemi Air Base. The incident, which saw a Hornet jet plummet during a practice session, gripped Finland’s military aviation community with concern. Yet, with the pilot’s safe ejection and a swift response from rescue teams, the Air Force has turned the page, reaffirming its commitment to showcasing the Hornet’s prowess with safety as the top priority.
The decision to resume comes after a meticulous review of the crash and its implications, with the Solo Display team now gearing up for their next performance on May 14 at the Satakunta Air Command’s Careers in Military Aviation Day in Pirkkala, Finland. What could have been a season-ending setback has instead become a story of precision, preparation, and the enduring spirit of Finnish aviation.
Finnish Hornet / Nato & Czech Air Force Days 2018
The crash unfolded at 10:50 a.m. on May 7, only five minutes after takeoff from Rovaniemi, home to the Lapland Air Wing. The aircraft, identified as HN-409, was in the midst of a routine aerobatic training flight, rehearsing maneuvers meant to dazzle crowds at upcoming air shows. Suddenly, it lost control, spiraling toward the ground. The pilot, with nerves of steel, ejected moments before impact, parachuting safely onto the airfield with minor injuries. The Hornet slammed into the edge of the runway area, skidding to a halt near a construction site for Finland’s future F-35 facilities—an unoccupied patch of ground that spared the incident from greater consequence.
Flames erupted from the wreckage almost instantly, but rescue teams from the Lapland Air Command and Finavia, Finland’s airport operator, sprang into action. Their rapid response extinguished the fire, limiting damage to the aircraft itself. The pilot, met by the Lapland Air Command’s rescue unit, was quickly evaluated by medical staff and taken to Lapland Central Hospital. By the end of the day, he was discharged, his injuries slight—a remarkable outcome given the violence of the crash. On the ground, no one was harmed, and Rovaniemi Airport, a bustling hub nearby, continued operations without disruption.
An investigation was launched immediately, led by Captain Eero Viitanen of the Karelian Air Force. A seven-member multidisciplinary team, composed of experts from various branches of military aviation, began sifting through the wreckage and analyzing data from the aircraft’s black box. Their early findings, released by May 9, showed no technical failures that would warrant grounding the Hornet fleet. As a result, the Finnish Air Force lifted the suspension on non-operational Hornet flights that same day, signaling confidence in the aircraft’s reliability. This paved the way for the Solo Display’s resumption, with the investigation continuing in the background to pinpoint the exact cause—a process that could stretch over months.
The Air Force’s decision to press forward with the display season reflects a careful balance of risk and resolve. The 2025 Hornet performance flight series was scrutinized in light of the crash, with safety margins reinforced to ensure no repeat of the May 7 incident. Every maneuver in the display is meticulously planned, practiced in simulators, and based on the Hornet’s approved performance values. For public events, strict weather limits are set, and conditions—including bird activity—are monitored on-site. Captain Petteri Kairinen, the 2024 Hornet display pilot, has stepped in as the chief demonstration pilot for the remainder of the season, replacing Captain Paulus “Hassel” Kärnä, who had been slated to lead in 2025. Kairinen will fly his own sequence from the previous year, bringing continuity and expertise to the team.
The F/A-18 Hornet has been a linchpin of Finnish air defence since the late 1990s, its agility and versatility earning it a storied reputation. For over two decades, it has guarded the nation’s skies, a multirole fighter capable of everything from combat missions to the jaw-dropping aerobatics of the Solo Display team. Based at the Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi for 2025, the team pushes the aircraft to its limits, showcasing moves like the “Dirty Roll”—a barrel roll with landing gear extended that highlights the Hornet’s unique capabilities. These performances are more than spectacles; they’re a celebration of Finnish precision and a bridge to the public, offering a glimpse of military aviation’s skill and daring.
Yet the Hornets’ days are numbered. Finland’s 2022 order of 64 F-35A Lightning II jets marks the beginning of the end for the ageing fleet, with the transition set to unfold over the coming years. The crash site’s proximity to the F-35 construction area underscored this shift, a poignant symbol of the future encroaching on the present. Until the F-35s take over, though, the Hornet remains a vital asset—and the Solo Display team its most visible ambassadors.
The team’s 2025 season was already off to a strong start, with a performance on May 6 at Jyväskylä Airport in Tikkakoski for the Careers in Military Aviation Day. Crowds marvelled as the Hornet twisted through the sky, a prelude to a packed schedule that nearly faltered with the May 7 crash. Now, with the resumption confirmed, the team is set to take flight again. After Pirkkala on May 14, they’ll appear at the Kauhava Air Show on June 14-15, a cherished event at Kauhava Airport that draws enthusiasts from across Finland. July brings the international stage, with a slot at the Royal International Air Tattoo in Gloucestershire, UK, from July 18-20—one of the world’s top military air shows. August offers a homecoming display on the 21st at the Lapland Air Wing, followed by a final stop at the Radom Air Show in Poland on August 30-31.
This swift return to the skies speaks volumes about the Finnish Air Force’s confidence in its people and machines. The crash, while a stark reminder of the risks inherent in aerobatic flight, hasn’t dimmed the team’s mission. Instead, it’s sharpened their focus on safety and preparation, ensuring that each climb, roll, and dive inspires rather than alarms. As the investigation unfolds, the Hornet Solo Display will soar once more, a tribute to the skill and bravery that define Finnish military aviation—and a promise that the show, quite literally, goes on.
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