Pilot Error Suspected in DHL Cargo Plane Crash in Lithuania

VILNIUS, Lithuania – Lithuanian prosecutors investigating the crash of a DHL cargo plane near Vilnius Airport in November 2024 now suspect the accident was caused by pilot error. The crash resulted in one fatality, injuries to three other crew members, and damage to a residential building.

The Prosecutor General's Office announced Wednesday that a pre-trial investigation points to the disabling of the aircraft's hydraulic system, which controls the deployment of wing flaps, as the likely cause. Investigators have requested Spanish authorities to question the pilot, a Spanish national, who survived the crash and is currently receiving medical treatment in Spain.

Investigation Details

The investigation involved analyzing interviews conducted in Lithuania, inspecting the crash site, and examining data from the aircraft's flight recorders and cockpit voice recorder. The findings led prosecutors to conclude that a disabled hydraulic system was the primary factor in the crash. Other potential causes, including initial speculation of sabotage, have been ruled out based on the evidence gathered.

The Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau is conducting the investigation, overseen by a prosecutor from the Organized Crime and Corruption Investigation Department. The Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Division completed its primary analysis of the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder in December 2024.

The Crash

On the morning of Nov. 25, 2024, a DHL Boeing 737-400 freighter, operated by Swiftair, crashed while approaching Vilnius Airport after a flight from Leipzig, Germany. The aircraft crashed approximately one kilometer from the airport, striking a residential building after skidding several hundred meters. Surveillance video showed the plane descending normally before erupting in flames upon impact.

One of the pilots, a Spanish citizen, died in the crash. The three other crew members, who were from Lithuania, Germany, and Spain, sustained injuries. Sixteen people whose homes were damaged in the crash have been officially recognized as victims.

Legal Proceedings

Lithuanian authorities have formally requested that Spanish authorities serve the surviving pilot with a "notice of suspicion" to facilitate further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Prosecutors are considering possible charges, including negligent action leading to death, destruction of property, inadequate aircraft maintenance, and serious physical harm caused by illegal behavior.

Initial Concerns and Sabotage Theories

In the weeks leading up to the crash, Lithuanian officials had been investigating alleged acts of arson targeting cargo planes, raising initial concerns about potential sabotage. Germany also suggested the possibility of "hybrid incident," a term often used to describe non-conventional attacks like infrastructure sabotage or cyberattacks. However, the Lithuanian Ministry of Justice has since stated that there is no evidence of "unlawful interference" related to the crash, effectively dismissing theories of terrorism or sabotage.

Impact and Aftermath

The crash has had a significant impact on the community near Vilnius Airport, with residents losing their homes and one life being tragically cut short. The ongoing investigation aims to provide answers and potentially hold those responsible accountable. The focus has shifted from initial concerns about external threats to a more specific examination of potential human error in the operation of the aircraft.