Ismo Aaltonen is head investigator at Finland’s Accident Investigation Board
Investigators have determined that a fracture resulting from metal fatigue caused the crash that claimed the lives of eight skydivers in Jämijärvi in April 2014, reported news agency Xinhua.
Eight of the 10 skydivers 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 authority, 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 skydivers 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.
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 if necessary to limit 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 which includes training programs and testing intended for skydivers.
In addition, Trafi has been asked to ensure the experience and training of supervisors and examiners involved in construction work of recreation aircraft meet the requirements in construction work as well as the changes in the regulation requirements.
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 involved parties hail.
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.
Original article can be found here: http://www.finlandtimes.fi
Head of the aviation investigation team Ismo Aaltonen works at the crash site near the Jamijarvi airport on April 21.
A parachute hangs from a tree close to the wreckage of experimental aircraft next to Jamijarvi Airfield, southwest Finland on April 21.
Little remains of the Comp Air 8 airplane.
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