Accident Summary
A twin-engine aircraft operating a night charter flight from Southend to Helsinki was on final approach to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport runway 22. The aircraft carried seven passengers and one pilot. During the approach, the pilot elected to reduce speed, causing the aircraft to lose altitude. It descended below the minimum descent altitude (MDA), struck the ground, and came to rest inverted in a snow-covered field approximately one kilometer short of the runway threshold. One passenger was seriously injured, while the other seven occupants were killed.
Investigation Findings
Official investigation determined that the pilot likely encountered difficulties controlling altitude and managing excessive speed during the final approach. In response, the pilot retarded engine power by pulling both speed levers backwards. Examination revealed that the flight idle gate, which normally prevents the speed levers from being positioned to idle before landing, was worn. This allowed the pilot to inadvertently move both levers to the idle position while still on approach, causing a loss of speed and altitude that led to the descent below the MDA and subsequent ground impact.
Contributing factors included the pilot's insufficient experience on this type of aircraft, inadequate training for such operations, and the demanding instrument flight conditions present at the time of the accident.