On the morning of November 25, 2024, tragedy struck near Vilnius International Airport in Lithuania when a cargo plane operated by Swiftair on behalf of DHL crashed during its final approach. The Boeing 737-400 was arriving from Leipzig, Germany, when it went down just short of the runway. The incident resulted in the death of one Spanish crew member, who was not the pilot, along with injuries to three others aboard the aircraft.
The plane, registered as EC-MFE, had departed Leipzig at 3:08 AM local time and was scheduled to land at 5:30 AM. Reports indicated the crash occurred just before 5:28 AM, skidding several hundred meters before colliding with a residential structure. Fortunately, local officials confirmed there were no fatalities on the ground, though some damage to nearby homes was reported.
Immediate investigations commenced following the crash, with the Lithuanian government sending teams to the site to recover the aircraft's black boxes, which are pivotal for determining the cause of the incident. Aid was requested from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as well as experts from Germany and Spain, to support the inquiry.
Lithuanian Prime Minister, Ingrid Šimonytė, emphasized the necessity for thorough investigations, stating, "I urge everyone to have confidence in the investigating authorities' ability to conduct a thorough and professional investigation within an optimal timeframe." She assured the public the investigation would seek to determine the true causes of the incident, highlighting the importance of avoiding speculation.
Investigation also opened under Lithuania’s criminal code targeting potential negligence surrounding the plane’s maintenance. This probe could potentially hold parties accountable if improper vehicle maintenance is identified. The Ministry of Justice of Lithuania is primarily leading the investigation with support from international endeavor.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing loud noises and seeing the plane descend erratically before it struck the ground. A nearby resident described the moment, saying, "It was like something out of a nightmare. The plane seemed to be losing control."
Lithuanian authorities are thoroughly examining the wreckage at the crash site, which is expected to be cleared within days. The Civil Aviation Administration noted the cockpit had detached from the fuselage upon impact, which raised immediate concerns about mechanical failure or pilot error, though no definitive evidence supports either theory as of yet.
Compounding the tragedy, last summer, DHL parcels originating from Lithuania were linked to incendiary attacks at logistics hubs across Europe, particularly involving German airports. Concerns have arisen about whether this crash could be another incident tied to these alarming patterns, leading German officials to raise the possibility of hybrid warfare being involved.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz mentioned the need to closely analyze the incident due to the current geopolitical climate, adding, “We are investigating this closely, and we can’t make any accusations until we can prove them.” Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the rising tensions surrounding hybrid warfare and its potential manifestations, saying, "We now must ask ourselves whether this was merely an accident or part of something more sinister."
While initial investigations have indicated no signs of sabotage, Prosecutor Arturas Urbelis remained cautious, stating, "Our initial information does not indicate any serious actions; yet all possibilities remain under scrutiny as we move forward with our investigations."
Lithuanian intelligence officials have not ruled out the possibility of terrorism, citing past incidents where DHL packages were found to contain incendiary devices, leading to widespread warnings across Europe. The Baltic region has seen heightened alert due to its proximity to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, which has often been linked to hostile actions against NATO countries.
After the accident, rescue teams worked swiftly to evacuate residents from the vicinity of the crash site, and local authorities are continuing to assess the damage to property and infrastructure. The fires ignited by the wreckage were extinguished without incident, and twelve local residents were safely evacuated from adjacent buildings.
For many, the crash serves as another stark reminder of the potential dangers surrounding air travel and the unforeseen circumstances aircraft crews may encounter during operations. The international aviation community is awaiting updates from Lithuanian authorities as investigations continue to delineate the factors contributing to this tragic accident. All updates surrounding the investigation will be sought by both press and public as they await the final draft conclusions.
