Three Others, Including The Pilot, Jumped From The Airplane And Survived

Eight skydivers were fatally injured Sunday when the Comp Air 8 they were aboard suddenly fell from about 10,000 feet of altitude and impacted the ground. Three other people on board the airplane, including the pilot, managed to bail out using parachutes and survived with minor injuries.

The Wall Street Journal reports that witnesses said some objects or aircraft parts appeared to separate from the airplane before it began a steep descent. Ismo Aaltonen, an investigator with Finland's Safety Investigation Authority said "By Finnish standards, this is the most serious flight accident in decades."

Authorities said the wreckage of the kit-built Comp Air 8 was severely damaged by the impact and ensuing fire. The skydivers who were fatally injured have not been identified, but they have been tentatively associated with a skydiving club in Tampere, Finland, which was holding its annual "Easter Boogie" skydiving event.

(Comp Air 8 pictured in file photo. Not accident airplane)

FMI: www.turvallisuustutkinta.fi/en