Technical Issues Likely Responsible for DHL Cargo Plane Crash, Say Lithuanian Authorities
The crash resulted in the death of one person and injuries to three others.
The aircraft, operated by airline Swiftair on behalf of DHL and departing from Leipzig, Germany, crashed at approximately 5:30 a.m. local time. The crash claimed the life of one person on board and left three others injured.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, officials dismissed sabotage as a factor in the crash, especially given Germany’s investigation into fires sparked by incendiary devices hidden in parcels at a Leipzig warehouse.
Germany’s foreign minister suggested that the incident involving the DHL plane could be either an accident or a hybrid attack during uncertain times.
Lithuanian Defence Minister Laurynas Kasciunas stated, “With the information we have, there are no indications of sabotage.”
The defense minister mentioned that visual examination of the crash showed no external impact on the plane upon landing, and surviving crew members reported no signs of alarm, such as smoke or unusual odors, before the crash.
Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of Lithuania’s National Crisis Management Center, indicated that initial investigations of the crash point toward a technical cause.
He also stated that tests on Vilnius airport systems used for guiding incoming flights showed normal functionality. The cargo plane did not use GPS during landing, making it unlikely for signal interference to have played a role, he explained.
“If we receive additional data, our direction might change, but currently, we lack such information,” Vitkauskas informed reporters.
NTSB Assisting in Plane Crash Probe
Authorities revealed that the crashed plane was a 31-year-old Boeing 737-400.
Lithuania’s Fire and Rescue Department reported that the aircraft skidded for a few hundred meters upon impact before bursting into flames. Fire crews battled the blaze as thick dark smoke billowed from the wreckage.
Law enforcement confirmed that the deceased individual was Spanish, while the surviving crew members included a Spaniard, a German, and a Lithuanian. At least one of them is in critical condition.
No injuries were reported on the ground from the crash, as per the police.
The NTSB mentioned that the Lithuanian government will release information from the investigation as it becomes available.
Guy Birchall and Reuters contributed to this report.
