Editor’s note: The article has been updated with background details on this developing story.
A DHL DHLGY cargo plane crashed into a house near Vilnius, Lithuania, Monday morning, killing at least one person.
What Happened: Lithuanian broadcaster LRT reported two people were hospitalized, with one later pronounced dead. The Boeing Co‘s BA Boeing 737 aircraft, operated by Swiftair, was en route from Leipzig, Germany, to Vilnius Airport, reported the Associated Press.
Authorities have not determined the cause of the crash, though weather conditions included freezing temperatures and pre-dawn clouds. Emergency services responded, and DHL Group and Swiftair have not commented.
The 31-year-old aircraft struck a two-story home near the airport. Older planes are common in cargo operations but may raise safety questions, according to the report.
Boeing did not immediately respond to Benzinga's request for comment.
Why It Matters: This latest crash involving a Boeing 737-400, operated by DHL and flown by Swiftair, adds to the growing scrutiny Boeing has faced in recent years regarding its aircraft safety record.
The company has been under intense scrutiny, particularly after the two fatal crashes of its 737 MAX model in 2018 and 2019, which led to the global grounding of the aircraft and significant reputational damage.
Investigations into those incidents revealed critical flaws in the plane’s automated flight control system, prompting major regulatory and operational reviews of Boeing's designs and safety protocols.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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