What happened
On August 15, 2008, at 1014 UTC, a Piper PA-28R-200, registration OH-PDY, experienced an in-flight breakup while maneuvering within clouds near Taipalsaari, Finland. The aircraft was conducting an instructional flight that began at Kuopio Airport (EFKU) and was destined for Lappeenranta Airport (EFLP). The crew consisted of a flight instructor and two student pilots.
Witnesses observed the aircraft emerging from the clouds before it crashed into Lake Saimaa. Approximately 30 to 60 seconds after the initial impact, observers reported seeing three large fragments of the aircraft descending slowly into the water. The accident resulted in 3 fatal injuries.
At the time of the accident, weather conditions were characterized by marginal visual meteorological conditions. Near Kuopio, the weather included 1,500 scattered and light rain showers, 4,500 broken clouds, and 5 miles of visibility, with winds from 240 degrees at 12 knots.