25-11-2024 (VILNIUS) A DHL-contracted cargo aircraft crashed in the early hours of Monday near Vilnius Airport, resulting in one fatality and three survivors, while narrowly avoiding a catastrophic collision with a residential property.
The Boeing 737-400, operated by Swiftair, was approaching the Lithuanian capital from Leipzig, Germany, when it encountered difficulties several kilometres from the runway at approximately 5:30 AM local time. The aircraft skidded hundreds of metres before coming to rest in a residential courtyard, promptly bursting into flames.
Renatas Pozela, Chief of the Fire and Rescue Department, confirmed that emergency services successfully rescued three crew members – identified as Lithuanian, German, and Spanish nationals – who were immediately transported to hospital. Twelve occupants of the nearby house were safely evacuated, with no reported injuries among civilians.
DHL B737-476(SF) cargo plane crash near Vilnius Airport (VNO), Lithuania shows no issues reported by the pilots before the terrain impact, according to Lithuanian officials.
The aircraft was carrying out flight QY5960 from Leipzig to Vilnius and the accident took place while… https://t.co/KKmGJjzwUR pic.twitter.com/Lw1suxfAtK
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) November 25, 2024
Surveillance footage captured the aircraft’s final moments, showing its descent before disappearing behind buildings, followed by a significant fireball and thick black smoke. Fire crews brought the blaze under control by 7:33 AM.
Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas noted that the aircraft narrowly missed a direct impact with the residential structure, instead crashing into an adjacent courtyard. The incident prompted temporary disruptions to airport operations, though officials confirmed scheduled flights continued with some delays.
Lithuanian authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the crash. While Police Chief Arūnas Paulauskas suggested technical failure or human error as likely causes, Counter-intelligence Chief Darius Jauniskis maintained that all possibilities, including terrorism, would be examined.
“The investigation requires meticulous evidence collection, which could extend throughout the week,” Paulauskas stated. “Quick conclusions cannot be drawn at this stage.”
Responding to speculation, a German interior ministry spokesperson dismissed any connection to earlier warnings about incendiary devices in cargo aircraft, though investigations remain ongoing.
DHL confirmed the aircraft was operating under their contract, stating: “The cause remains unknown and is subject to thorough investigation.” Swiftair, the aircraft’s operator, verified the aircraft model but provided no additional details pending the investigation’s outcome.
