Five charged over fatal workplace accident at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport

Five people face charges over a fatal accident at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in November 2024, after a worker became trapped between a moving aircraft and the lifting platform of a toilet-emptying vehicle.

Prosecutors charged one person with causing death and endangering traffic safety. Four others face occupational safety offences. All five suspects worked for the same employer, and prosecutors are seeking a corporate fine against the company. The defendants have denied committing the offences.

The accident occurred after workers began moving an aircraft from a parking position on the airport apron with a towing tractor. The tractor driver did not notice that the waste-service vehicle remained in place and stood in the aircraft’s path.

The Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland had earlier identified work in a safety area after safety cones had been removed as a factor central to the accident. The investigation examined the employer’s workplace-safety responsibilities and the responsibility of the person moving the aircraft.

The aircraft involved belonged to Finnair, for which the company provided ground-handling services. According to the licensing and supervisory authority, the airport company failed to identify and assess hazards connected with emptying the waste tank. It also failed to ensure that the task had adequate instructions and that workers followed them.

Prosecutors decided not to bring charges against eight other people. The criminal case against the five defendants remains before the courts.