Finnair’s Airbus A350-900 aircraft hit the taxiway sign, damaging both the sign and the aircraft’s left engine when leaving the Helsinki Airport de-icing site.
The aircraft with registration OH-LWE was preparing to operate flight AY73 from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to Tokyo-Narita Airport Tokyo on 21st February. After the incident, the aircraft returned safely to the gate, and the flight was cancelled.
“On Sunday, the Helsinki Metropolitan Area had an actual skull, and it may also have an impact on the events,” said Oanne Kiranta, OTKES’s leading accident researcher.
The Accident Investigation Board (OTKES) has begun a preliminary investigation into this incident and is preparing to launch the actual safety investigation.
“Bad weather is not the cause of an accident. We will find out what happened at Helsinki-Vantaa yesterday, and why? We are preparing to launch the actual investigation and appoint an investigation team,” said Veli-Pekka Nurmi, Director of OTKES.