Vilnius-Bound DHL Boeing 737-400 Crashes In Liepkalnis

A DHL Boeing 737 freighter traveling from Leipzig, Germany, to Vilnius Airport (VNO), has crashed near Liepkalnis Hill, located along the approach path to the airport’s runway.

In an official statement, Vilnius Airport said that the aircraft crashed in Liepkalnis at 5:28 AM Lithuanian time. Emergency services from the city are actively responding at the scene, alongside a Vilnius Airport fire truck and a team from the airport’s headquarters, which have also been deployed to assist with the situation.

The cause of this accident is currently unknown. Simple Flying has asked DHL Group, Vilnius Airport, and Swiftair for a comment.

According to a report by the Lithuanian local media outlet LRT, the Boeing 737-400 freighter crashed close to residential buildings and that a two-story building is currently engulfed in flames. A representative from the Fire Protection and Rescue Department (PAGD) informed LRT Radio that at least four people were injured, including two pilots and two passengers.

The pilot, who regained consciousness, was rescued from the wreckage and handed over to medical personnel for treatment. According to the police, one pilot has died.

Flight details

According to data from Flightradar24.com, the DHL Boeing 737-400 freighter, registered as EC-MFE, operating as flight QY5690 from Leipzig Halle Airport (LEJ) to Vilnius Airport (VNO), crashed near Liepkalnis Hill during the final stages of its approach.

The aircraft involved is a 31-year-old Boeing 737-400F, operated by Swiftair and wet-leased to European Air Transport Leipzig, a subsidiary of the DHL Group, according to data from ch-aviation.

Vilnius Airport remains open

Vilnius Airport remains open. However, flights have been delayed, and numerous planes are waiting on the platform for departure.