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On November 25, 2024, a tragic accident occurred when a Boeing 737-400 SF from the Spanish airline Swiftair crashed during its approach to landing at Vilnius Airport, Lithuania. The cargo plane, operating on behalf of DHL, was en route from Leipzig, Germany.
The aircraft crashed approximately 1.6 kilometers before the runway, colliding with a residential building close to the airport. Lithuanian authorities confirmed that one of the pilots, a Spanish citizen, was killed. The other three crew members, of Lithuanian, German, and Spanish nationalities, survived the crash. Though, they sustained significant injuries.
On March 26, the Lithuanian Prosecutor General provided an update on the ongoing investigation. Investigators drew a conclusion from interviews, on-site investigations, flight recorder data, and other sources. It appeared that the most likely cause of the crash was a failure in the hydraulic system. This system is essential for deploying the landing flaps, and a malfunction could have led to the loss of control of the aircraft. Investigators have ruled out other possible causes.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Lithuania has requested the Spanish authorities to conduct additional investigations through a European Investigation Order. Among others, the co-pilot, who survived the accident and is currently undergoing treatment in Vilnius, will face questioning. ‘This step is necessary for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the accident. Based on current information, human error appears to be the most likely cause,’ said the public prosecutor.