A DHL cargo plane en route from Leipzig, Germany, crashed near Vilnius, Lithuania, early Monday, leaving one person dead and three others injured. Boeing 737 476 aircraft, operated by Swiftair, went down in the Liepkalnis area, just over half a mile from Vilnius International Airport, where it had been scheduled to land.
Crash Details
Lithuanian airport authority confirmed that the incident occurred at 5:28 a.m. local time and involved four crew members. Emergency responders arrived at the scene within six minutes, where they found wreckage near a residential building.
One pilot was pronounced dead at the scene, while or was critically injured and transported to a local hospital. Two additional crew members sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Thirteen residents were evacuated from a nearby building but escaped without injury.
Eyewitness Accounts and Response
the crash produced a massive fireball, with the cockpit reportedly separating from the plane’s fuselage upon impact. Dr. Bozena Jerenkovic, a first responder, described the survival of three individuals as “nothing short of a miracle.”
Emergency crews, including firefighters and medical teams, worked swiftly to secure the crash site. Despite the tragedy, Vilnius International Airport reported no disruption to its operations.
Lack of Emergency Warning
Aviation expert Vidas Kaupelis noted that communications between pilots and air traffic controllers before the crash did not indicate distress. ” Conversation suggested a routine approach,” Kaupelis said, raising questions about the sudden nature of the incident.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Lithuanian National Crisis Management Center is coordinating inquiry alongside international aviation experts.
Tragedy has drawn attention to aviation safety in the region, particularly given the proximity of crashes to residential areas. Local officials and aviation analysts are expected to examine both technical and operational factors contributing to the accident.
Statement from DHL and Swiftair
DHL and Swiftair expressed condolences to the victims and pledged full cooperation with investigators. A joint statement emphasized its commitment to ensuring the safety of our operations and support for affected crew members and our families.
The incident marks a somber day for Lithuania’s aviation sector and has sparked widespread concern over safety protocols for cargo flights in densely populated regions.
