Finnish police believe that an airport worker was probably killed during an Airbus A350 push back at Helsinki Airport (HEL), resulting in the victim being crushed to death.
Although police have not named the airline, it is understood that the Airbus A350-900, registered OH-LWO, is operated by Finnair and landed in Helsinki after arriving from Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND).
In a statement on November 2, 2024, Itä-Uusimaa police said officers were called to the airport at around 05:00 after receiving emergency reports of a death.
According to officers that attended the scene, the deceased worker had become trapped between the plane and a lavatory servicing truck as the A350 was being moved.
On November 4, 2024, news outlet Yle reported that the Regional Administrative Agency of Southern Finland had begun investigating the incident.
Yle had previously said the deceased worker was employed by Aviator Finland, which provides ground services.
Aviator Finland’s CEO Kimmo Holopainen said that “several people” had been moving the Airbus A350 when the accident occurred.
According to FlightRadar24, OH-LWO’s next two scheduled flights have been cancelled. The aircraft was due to fly to Shanghai on November 5, 2024, and return to Helsinki the following day.
The A350 involved in the accident is one of two Finnair planes that was selected to feature a Moomin livery to celebrate the airline’s 100th year operating in November 2023.
今日8月9日は…「ムーミンの日」ですね。
ムーミンは子供の頃からの癒しです。
大人になっても癒しの機会を提供していただいたフィンエアー様には感謝です。フィンエアーA350-900（OH－LWO）
Moomin Livery@FinnairJapan@Finnair#feelfinnair#Finnair#Moomin#ムーミンの日#moominday pic.twitter.com/1bGi6MYRCa— ten_koji (@ten_koji1103) August 9, 2024
The police confirmed that the incident is currently being investigated to establish the causes of the accident.
AeroTime has contacted Finnair for comment.