DHL Cargo Plane Crashes in Vilnius, Residents Escape Unharmed
A DHL cargo plane, a Boeing 737-400 operated by Swiftair, crashed into a residential area near Vilnius Airport on Monday, November 25, 2021. The incident resulted in a fire and caused significant damage. Fortunately, all residents of the nearby house escaped unharmed.
The plane was approximately 26 meters below the glide path and at an altitude of about 77 meters during its Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to the runway. The aircraft was en route from Leipzig, where it departed at 3:08 AM. The pilot's identity remains unknown, as a similar incident in 2024 involving a Swiftair Boeing 737-400 did not specify the pilot's details.
Investigators have recovered the plane's black box and voice recorder. They will analyze these to determine the cause of the crash. German security authorities have launched investigations following the incident. In late August, these authorities had warned about unconventional incendiary devices being sent via freight carriers. Coincidentally, a package containing such a device caught fire at the DHL logistics center in Leipzig over the summer.
The crash of the DHL cargo plane in Vilnius has raised concerns about the safety of freight transportation. Authorities are working to understand the cause of the incident and ensure the safety of future flights. Despite the close call, all residents of the affected house managed to evacuate safely.
