Kuopio - Helsinki

Shortly after a night takeoff from Kuopio Airport, while climbing, the right engine failed. The captain elected to return for an emergency landing and initiated a turn to the left when the airplane lost height and crashed in the Juurusvesi Lake, about one km from the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 15 occupants were killed, among them politicians and businessmen who were flying back to Helsinki after attending a National Defence Course meeting organized by the Finnish Defence Forces. Crew: 1st Lt Kari Halmetoja, pilot, M/Sgt Seppo Raninen, copilot, Sgtm Heikki Mannila, flight engineer. Passengers: Risto K. Alanko, Kirsti Hollming, Aaro Kenttä, Pekka Lahdensuu, Olavi Majlander, Arto Merisaari, Antti Pohjonen, Kari Sinisalo, Viljo Särkkä, Olli Varho, Col Aarno Hukari, Lt Col Tapio Kokkonen.

Flight / Schedule

Kuopio - Helsinki

Registration

DO-10

MSN

12050

Year of Manufacture

1943

Date

October 3, 1978 at 09:31 PM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Military

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Crash Location

Kuopio Northern Savonia

Region

Europe • Finland

Crash Cause

Technical failure

Narrative Report

On October 3, 1978 at 09:31 PM, Kuopio - Helsinki experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by Finnish Air Force - Suomen Ilmavoimat, with the event recorded near Kuopio Northern Savonia.

The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.

15 people were known to be on board, 15 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 12, passenger fatalities: 12, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. Shortly after a night takeoff from Kuopio Airport, while climbing, the right engine failed. The captain elected to return for an emergency landing and initiated a turn to the left when the airplane lost height and crashed in the Juurusvesi Lake, about one km from the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 15 occupants were killed, among them politicians and businessmen who were flying back to Helsinki after attending a National Defence Course meeting organized by the Finnish Defence Forces. Crew: 1st Lt Kari Halmetoja, pilot, M/Sgt Seppo Raninen, copilot, Sgtm Heikki Mannila, flight engineer. Passengers: Risto K. Alanko, Kirsti Hollming, Aaro Kenttä, Pekka Lahdensuu, Olavi Majlander, Arto Merisaari, Antti Pohjonen, Kari Sinisalo, Viljo Särkkä, Olli Varho, Col Aarno Hukari, Lt Col Tapio Kokkonen.

Aircraft reference details include registration DO-10, MSN 12050, year of manufacture 1943.

Fatalities

Total

15

Crew

3

Passengers

12

Other

0

Crash Summary

Shortly after a night takeoff from Kuopio Airport, while climbing, the right engine failed. The captain elected to return for an emergency landing and initiated a turn to the left when the airplane lost height and crashed in the Juurusvesi Lake, about one km from the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 15 occupants were killed, among them politicians and businessmen who were flying back to Helsinki after attending a National Defence Course meeting organized by the Finnish Defence Forces. Crew: 1st Lt Kari Halmetoja, pilot, M/Sgt Seppo Raninen, copilot, Sgtm Heikki Mannila, flight engineer. Passengers: Risto K. Alanko, Kirsti Hollming, Aaro Kenttä, Pekka Lahdensuu, Olavi Majlander, Arto Merisaari, Antti Pohjonen, Kari Sinisalo, Viljo Särkkä, Olli Varho, Col Aarno Hukari, Lt Col Tapio Kokkonen.

Cause: Technical failure

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

3

Passengers On Board

12

Estimated Survivors

0

Fatality Rate

100.0%

Known people on board: 15

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Kuopio - Helsinki

Flight Type

Military

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Region / Country

Europe • Finland

Aircraft Details

Registration

DO-10

MSN

12050

Year of Manufacture

1943

Similar Plane Crashes

November 16, 1927 at 02:15 PM6 Fatalities

Aero Oy

Junkers F.13

The single engine airplane departed Tallinn on a schedule service to Helsinki, carrying four passengers and two crew members. While cruising in marginal weather conditions (reduced visibility due to foggy conditions), the aircraft crashed in the Gulf of Finland. Despite intense SAR operations, no trace of the aircraft nor the six occupants was found.

July 10, 1928 at 12:00 AM6 Fatalities

Aero Oy

Junkers F.13

Crashed in unknown circumstances in the Gulf of Finland, killing all six occupants.

September 27, 1930 at 12:00 AM1 Fatalities

Finnish Air Force - Suomen Ilmavoimat

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

In unknown circumstances, the single engine aircraft collided in flight with an unidentified aircraft and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

April 13, 1931 at 12:00 AM2 Fatalities

Finnish Air Force - Suomen Ilmavoimat

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

While on a training mission, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and both crew members, an instructor and a student pilot, were killed.

May 22, 1931 at 12:00 AM

Finnish Air Force - Suomen Ilmavoimat

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Crashed in unknown circumstances, injuring both crew members.

March 25, 1932 at 12:00 AM1 Fatalities

Finnish Air Force - Suomen Ilmavoimat

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

The crew was performing a local training flight when the airplane stalled and crashed in the harbor of Helsinki, bursting into flames. The pilot was seriously injured and the mechanic was killed.