Lithuanian prosecutors see no grounds to request extradition of DHL plane crash suspect

Lithuania’s Prosecutor General’s Office has stated there is currently no basis to request the extradition of the Spanish pilot suspected in last year’s fatal DHL cargo plane crash near Vilnius, as pretrial investigation continues in Spain, LRT reports.

Elena Martinonienė, a spokesperson for the Prosecutor General’s Office, confirmed that the dominant phase of the investigation is still underway. The pilot, who faces preliminary charges of negligent homicide, severe bodily harm, and property destruction, was questioned in Spain but has rejected the allegations.

“At this time, there is no grounds to issue a European Arrest Warrant, as necessary pretrial actions can be—and are being—carried out while the individual remains in Spain,” Martinonienė said.

Sixteen people have been recognised as victims in the case. The extent of material and non-material damages remains under assessment, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutor General Nida Grunskienė earlier told BNS that while no extradition request has been made, the investigation remains active. “Nothing has stopped. Other pretrial actions are being carried out, and if grounds emerge, the prosecutor will make a decision,” she stated.

Last March, prosecutors announced that human error was the primary suspected cause of the crash. In April, the Justice Ministry confirmed no evidence of unlawful interference or terrorism. Investigators determined the accident likely occurred after the hydraulic system—responsible for deploying flaps—was switched off, causing the plane to stall during landing.

The Swiftair Boeing 737-400 cargo jet crashed on November 25, 2024, while approaching Vilnius Airport. The Spanish pilot was killed, while another Spanish crew member, a German, and a Lithuanian were injured. The aircraft also struck a residential building housing 13 people, all of whom escaped unharmed.