A tragic cargo plane crash occurred near Vilnius airport in Lithuania early Monday morning, resulting in the death of one crew member and injuries to three others. The Boeing 737, operated by Swiftair for DHL, went down just outside the airport during its final approach for landing. The aircraft had departed from Leipzig, Germany, and crashed after being in the air for about an hour and a half.
Local authorities confirmed that the crash took place near a residential area, causing some damage to a nearby house. However, all residents in the area were safely evacuated before the fire could spread further. Rescue services reported that all 12 individuals who were aboard the plane have been accounted for, though one person was tragically killed in the incident.
The flight, which had taken off from DHL’s hub at Leipzig Airport just after 03:00 local time (02:00 GMT), was en route to Vilnius when the crash occurred. Initial data from the flight-tracking website Flightradar24 indicated that the aircraft was nearing Vilnius airport when it lost control. The plane, a Boeing 737-400 model, was 31 years old, according to reports from the Associated Press.
At the crash site, firefighters worked tirelessly to extinguish flames and smoke that had emanated from a nearby building located approximately 1.3 kilometers (0.8 miles) from the airport runway. While no explosion has been reported, Lithuanian authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, with experts combing through the wreckage for any clues. At this time, there is no indication of a pre-crash explosion, but authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the incident.
DHL confirmed that the aircraft was owned by the company and expressed their deep sorrow for the loss of life. The company stated that the plane had made an “emergency landing” before it crashed. Renata Pozela, head of Lithuania’s firefighting and emergency services unit, confirmed that the plane had been scheduled to land at Vilnius airport but crashed several kilometers away from the runway.
The four-member crew was aboard the plane at the time of the crash, and one member was fatally injured. Authorities have not yet released the names of those involved, but the investigation continues as emergency teams sift through the wreckage.
Despite the severity of the crash, flight operations at Vilnius airport continued without major disruption. The airport spokesperson confirmed that operations were running smoothly, and there were no further delays due to the incident. The investigation, however, remains ongoing, as officials seek to determine why the aircraft went down. Reports indicate that before the crash, the weather conditions in the area were cold, with temperatures around 0°C (32°F), and the presence of clouds before sunrise. Winds were reported at approximately 30 km/h (19 mph), which could have contributed to the unfortunate crash, but it remains unclear whether weather played a role in the accident.
The crash has sent shockwaves through the Lithuanian aviation community and beyond, as the country has not experienced such a devastating incident in recent years. Authorities have been working around the clock to provide assistance to the victims and to conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the causes of this tragedy.
While the full details of the incident are yet to emerge, the loss of life and the injuries sustained by the crew serve as a reminder of the dangers faced by those who work in aviation. The incident has also raised concerns over the safety of older aircraft, as the Boeing 737-400 involved in the crash was 31 years old. Although older aircraft can still operate safely when properly maintained, this crash may prompt further scrutiny of aging cargo planes and their airworthiness.
As authorities continue their investigation, residents and the international aviation community remain hopeful that answers will be found and measures will be taken to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The thoughts of many are with the families and loved ones of those involved in this tragic accident.