DHL Boeing 737-476SF plane crash
Vilnius, Lithuania
Updated on
The Boeing 737-400 operated by Swiftair on behalf of DHL took off from Leipzig, Germany, for a cargo flight to Vilnius, Lithuania. 4 crew members were onboard. The plane was on final approach on Vilnius airport when it impacted ground about 0.87nm (1,6 km) short of the runway threshold. After impact, it skidded for around 250 meters before colliding with a residential building. The plane then erupted into flames. One crew member was killed, three crew (including both pilots) have been injured. There were no injuries on the ground.
According to air traffic control records, Vilnius Approach had cleared the flight for an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach, instructing the crew to descend to 2,700 feet and report once established on the ILS. As the aircraft approached within 4 NM of the runway, the crew was directed to contact Vilnius Tower. This acknowledgment marked their last communication before the accident.
At the time of the crash, weather conditions included moderate winds and overcast skies, with a cloud ceiling varying between 500 and 700 feet.