On November 25, 2024, the crash of a DHL Boeing 737-400 cargo plane near Vilnius Airport shocked the city and prompted extensive investigations. The accident occurred in the morning and led to the complete destruction of the machine. The pilot, a Spanish citizen, died in the accident, while three other crew members – including Lithuanian, German and Spanish citizens – were injured. Firefighters reported that the wreckage landed near a residential area, causing fire to adjacent storage areas and a vehicle. 13 people have to be evacuated from neighboring buildings due to the danger.

The investigation to clarify the cause of the crash is complex and of great international importance. Lithuanian authorities announced that the black boxes, known in aviation circles, were recovered on November 26, 2024. These devices, consisting of the flight data recorder (FDR) and the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), are essential for the analysis of aviation accidents as they provide information about flight history and crew conversations.

Investigation and international support

Vilmantas Vitkauskas, Vice-Chancellor and Head of the National Crisis Management Center (NCMC), explained that Lithuania does not have the technical capabilities to analyze the flight recorder data itself. Therefore, they were sent to a laboratory in another EU country for further testing. “The first task is to protect the flight recorders from damage and transport them safely to the laboratories,” Vitkauskas explained to Lithuanian broadcaster LRT Radio.

Laurynas Naujokaitis, head of the aircraft accident investigation department at the Lithuanian Ministry of Justice, reported that German investigators have already joined the team and experts from Spain and the United States are also expected. This international collaboration is not uncommon in aviation accidents involving multiple nations.

Initial findings and possible causes

Lithuanian authorities are focusing on clarifying the crashes, considering various causes: technical defects, human error or even sabotage. As of November 27, 2024, there is no evidence of deliberate manipulation of aircraft. This investigation could take weeks or months, as deciphering the data from the flight recorders is often a lengthy process.

The FDR records important data such as speed, altitude and flight path, while the CVR records crew conversations, radio traffic and other ambient noise. This information is not crucial for reconstructing the exact sequence of events before the accident.

Impact on security and international attention

The incident has attracted attention not only in Lithuania, but also internationally, as DHL, as a global courier service, plays a central role in air freight logistics. The Boeing 737-400 was a standard aircraft for cargo flights and was also operated by the subsidiary SwiftAir. The tragedy has raised questions about safety and operations in cargo aviation, particularly regarding the maintenance and inspection of older model aircraft.

The fact that investigators from several countries are involved shows how important transparency and cooperation are in solving such incidents. International aviation authorities and safety organizations will closely monitor the results of the investigation with a view to making recommendations to improve safety standards if necessary.

First measures and reactions of the city

Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas expressed concern about the incident and assured that the city was doing everything it could to support affected residents and review safety precautions. The evacuation of 13 people and the suppression of nearby fire sources illustrate the urgency of the rescue measures taken on site.

Outlook: Further course of the investigation

The coming weeks and months will be crucial in clarifying the exact cause of the accident. The flight recorders play a key role in this, as they could provide crucial information to reconstruct the course of the accident and, if necessary, initiate preventative measures. International investigators and aviation industry experts will work together to maintain safety and trust in air cargo logistics.