Lithuanian aviation authorities have released an interim report on the tragic crash of a Swiftair Boeing 737-400SF, which occurred on November 25, 2024. The aircraft, a converted freighter, was operating on behalf of European Air Transport Leipzig, a DHL subsidiary, and crashed while approaching Vilnius Airport.
The report, issued by the Republic of Lithuania Ministry of Justice’s Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Division, outlined that the flight departed from Leipzig/Halle Airport at 02:08 UTC. Initially uneventful, at 03:01 UTC, the flight crew started their approach briefing, although they omitted the “landing data step.”
The flight ran into challenges when the captain, operating as pilot monitoring, experienced difficulty contacting the Vilnius Area Control Center. An error in communication frequency necessitated a change, which was successfully made at 03:10. Shortly thereafter, issues with the aircraft’s hydraulics emerged when a pilot switched off essential components, prompting alerts and disengagement of the autopilot.
“Two additional attempts were made to re-engage the autopilot B, however they were both unsuccessful. The co-pilot flew the aircraft from this point forward with autopilot disengaged and auto-thrust engaged,” stated the report.
Approach complications were compounded by operational missteps. Despite completing the approach checklist, the team did not execute the full landing checklist. An inquiry into the status of anti-icing systems resulted in the captain confirming erroneously that they were active. Investigators found systems powered off post-crash. The report also highlighted the unaltered positions of the flaps and warning signs of an impending stall.
At 03:28, moments after the audible stall and terrain warnings, the aircraft crashed. It first impacted a tree approximately 1,575 meters from the runway threshold, continuing an accident trail extending 235 meters past the initial impact.
The captain died at the scene while the first officer and two passengers sustained serious injuries. Additionally, the report indicated that all equipment maintenance adhered to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standards, dispelling concerns about technical negligence. “Examination of the aircraft interior revealed no evidence of in-flight fire, including soot and melted parts, prior to impact,” investigators reported.
The black boxes remain missing while authorities continue to probe the incident.
