In the early hours of Monday, a Boeing 737 operated for DHL by Spanish airline Swiftair crashed during its final approach to Vilnius Airport, striking near a residential area and prompting swift evacuation efforts.
Cargo Plane Crash in Lithuania Claims One Life, Leaves Three Injured
Cargo Plane Crash in Lithuania Claims One Life, Leaves Three Injured
A cargo jet crash near Vilnius airport has resulted in one fatality and three injuries, with investigations underway.
On a fateful Monday morning, a tragic incident unfolded as a cargo plane, specifically a Boeing 737 operated for DHL by Swiftair, crashed near Vilnius airport in Lithuania, claiming the life of one crew member and injuring three others. The mishap occurred during the aircraft's final descent, approximately an hour and a half after it departed Leipzig Airport in Germany around 03:00 local time.
According to local authorities, the aircraft fell close to a residential building, skidding several hundred meters before its wreckage caused slight damage to the structure. Fortunately, all twelve residents were safely evacuated, confirming police reports that they were unharmed in the incident.
The country's defence minister reassured the public that preliminary investigations revealed no signs of sabotage or terrorism contributing to the crash. However, the exact cause remains undetermined. Renatas Pozela, a police official, stated, “It was an emergency landing,” as investigators from both DHL and Lithuanian authorities began separate inquiries into the incident.
Marius Baranauskas, the Lithuanian National Aviation Authority head, relayed that the pilots did not communicate any abnormalities during their conversation with air traffic control prior to the crash, casting doubt on the possibility of an explosive event pre-disaster. While the aircraft was reported to be 31 years old, initial insights point toward a potential technical failure or human error as the cause.
Weather conditions at the time indicated a temperature of 0°C (32°F), with cloudy skies and winds of about 30 km/h (19 mph), which could have played a role in the unfortunate landing attempt. As the investigation continues, the aviation community and authorities strive to uncover the factors leading to this tragic event.
According to local authorities, the aircraft fell close to a residential building, skidding several hundred meters before its wreckage caused slight damage to the structure. Fortunately, all twelve residents were safely evacuated, confirming police reports that they were unharmed in the incident.
The country's defence minister reassured the public that preliminary investigations revealed no signs of sabotage or terrorism contributing to the crash. However, the exact cause remains undetermined. Renatas Pozela, a police official, stated, “It was an emergency landing,” as investigators from both DHL and Lithuanian authorities began separate inquiries into the incident.
Marius Baranauskas, the Lithuanian National Aviation Authority head, relayed that the pilots did not communicate any abnormalities during their conversation with air traffic control prior to the crash, casting doubt on the possibility of an explosive event pre-disaster. While the aircraft was reported to be 31 years old, initial insights point toward a potential technical failure or human error as the cause.
Weather conditions at the time indicated a temperature of 0°C (32°F), with cloudy skies and winds of about 30 km/h (19 mph), which could have played a role in the unfortunate landing attempt. As the investigation continues, the aviation community and authorities strive to uncover the factors leading to this tragic event.
