Night Approach Accident at Vaasa Airport (OH-LCC)

Accident Overview and Outcome During a nighttime approach to Vaasa Airport, the pilot-in-command completed a final turn intended to align the aircraft with the runway approach path. At that point, the airplane lost altitude, struck trees, and crashed in flames into a dense wooded area in Koivulahti, approximately 10.5 km from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed, and all 25 occupants were killed. ## Official Findings The official investigation identified the probable cause as the incorrect execution of a left turn at low altitude at night. This maneuver caused the aircraft to stall, lose maneuverability, and enter a spin. The investigation also identified a contributing factor related to the pilot's condition. Because the pilot had consumed alcoholic drinks and had insufficient sleep the night before the accident, the pilot was not considered to be in a satisfactory mental and physical condition to undertake the flight. For the same reason, the investigation stated that the copilot should not have been allowed to start on the flight.