Accident Overview
On 16 October 2024, a historical North American SNJ-3 aircraft, registration OH-NAT, was involved in an accident at Räyskälä airfield in Loppi, Finland. The aircraft had recently been sold to a new owner and the flight was intended to check the aircraft's operation after maintenance. The two occupants, the pilot and a passenger, both lost their lives in the accident.
Sequence of Events
The pilot began the takeoff roll on runway 26L at 12:05:35 local time. The aircraft became airborne at 12:05:52. The initial climb was normal, with the landing flaps partially extended, which shortens the ground roll but reduces the climb angle. At 12:06:09, the aircraft had climbed to about 80 meters above ground level, with the landing gear still partially extended. The climb continued for approximately another 5 seconds, reaching about 100 meters. According to eyewitnesses, the engine sound then changed: first two sharp interruptions were heard, followed by a softer sound, after which the engine went silent.
Emergency Maneuver
After the engine stopped, the pilot attempted a steep right turn to return to the airfield for landing. The outcome of this maneuver is not detailed in the available report, but the aircraft subsequently crashed, resulting in the fatalities of both occupants.
Aircraft and Context
The aircraft was an SNJ-3, a variant of the North American T-6 Texan, used as a historical aircraft. The accident site was at Räyskälä airfield. The investigation is being conducted by the Safety Investigation Authority of Finland, with assistance from the NTSB and EASA. Technical examinations were performed on the propeller governor, emergency locator transmitter, engine, fuel system, and flight instruments.