After intensive work, the Lithuanian authorities were able to clear the crash site of the crashed Swiftair plane. All of the plane's debris, including the cockpit, was transported to a hangar for examination. Smaller fragments of the wreckage were removed last week. Particularly important for solving the accident: the flight recorders, which document the last minutes of the flight. They are now in Germany, where they are being evaluated by experts from the Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU).
The crash site shows the extent of the disaster: destroyed residential buildings, burnt-out vehicles and fields of rubble dominate the picture. The residents of a damaged apartment building were taken to emergency accommodation by the city of Vilnius. These people must stay in social housing for the time being while reconstruction is planned.
investigations and international cooperation
The Lithuanian authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the crash. So far, there is no evidence of terrorism or sabotage. German experts from the BFU are supporting their Lithuanian colleagues on site, while Spanish and American specialists are also involved in the case. What is particularly explosive is that Swiftair, the Spanish operating company, is obliged to provide complete technical data and maintenance records for the Boeing 737.
The Flight and Its Tragedy
The cargo plane was on its way from Leipzig to Vilnius and was due to land shortly before the accident. It is known that one of the four crew members died in the crash. Three other people survived and received medical treatment. Experts suspect that a technical defect or human error led to the crash, but these hypotheses have not yet been confirmed.
importance for aviation
The crash once again highlights the safety of cargo planes, especially those landing in densely populated areas. Vilnius, as a major hub for DHL and other logistics providers, may need to adapt its safety protocols to prevent such disasters.
The incident will also fuel the European debate on modernising old aircraft fleets and reviewing maintenance policies. The final results of the investigation could have far-reaching consequences for the aviation industry.
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