_Keski-Suomen_ilmailumuseo_7.JPG) Finnish Air Force C-47 DO-4, sister ship to the accident aircraft | |
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | 3 October 1978 |
| Summary | Engine failure, pilot error, stall |
| Site | Rissala, Siilinjärvi, Finland |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Douglas C-47A |
| Operator | Finnish Air Force |
| Registration | DO-10 |
| Flight origin | Utti Airport |
| Stopover | Kuopio Airport |
| Destination | Helsinki Airport |
| Passengers | 12 |
| Crew | 3 |
| Fatalities | 15 |
| Survivors | 0 |
The Finnish Air Force DC-3 disaster occurred when a plane of this class crashed into Lake Juurusvesi in Rissala on 3 October 1978, killing all fifteen people on board. It was caused by a cracked exhaust valve, resulting from metal fatigue in an engine cylinder. Most of the victims were politicians and prominent businessmen attending a National Defence Course meeting organized by the Finnish Defence Forces.
The accident has been the third worst aviation accident in Finland, and the worst happened to a Finnish Air Force aircraft.