By Reeturaj - Nov 25, 2024
A cargo plane operated by Swiftair for DHL crashed near Vilnius Airport in Lithuania, resulting in one death and three injuries. The Boeing 737-400 made an emergency landing, causing minor damage to a nearby house but all residents were safely evacuated. The cause of the crash is under investigation by Lithuanian authorities.
Plane crash via Wikimedia Commons
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A cargo plane operated by the Spanish airline Swiftair for DHL crashed near Vilnius Airport in Lithuania on Monday, resulting in the death of one person and injuring three others. The Boeing 737-400, which had departed from Leipzig, Germany, was on its final approach to land when it crashed near a house, according to local authorities. Fortunately, all 12 residents of the nearby property were safely evacuated, and rescue services confirmed that everyone on board the flight had been accounted for.
The cause of the crash is currently unknown, and Lithuanian authorities have initiated an investigation. DHL confirmed that it owned the plane and stated that it had made an "emergency landing." Authorities have found no evidence to suggest that an explosion occurred before the crash. Renatas Pozela, the head of Lithuania's firefighting and emergency services unit, reported that the plane was due to land at Vilnius Airport but crashed just a few kilometers away, resulting in the death of one crew member.
The crash occurred approximately 1.3 kilometers north of the airport runway, with firefighters responding to tackle smoke coming from a nearby building. While the house sustained minor damage and some infrastructure caught fire, all residents were safely evacuated. The plane, a 31-year-old Boeing 737-400, was reportedly flying in cloudy conditions with a temperature of 0°C (32°F) and winds around 30 km/h (19 mph).
Flight operations at Vilnius Airport continue as authorities respond to the crash. The incident has raised concerns about aviation safety, and investigators will work to determine the cause. Lithuanian authorities have started their investigation, and more information is expected to be released as the inquiry progresses.