Incident at Vilnius Airport
A LOT Polish Airlines Embraer E170 aircraft, operating as Flight LO771 from Warsaw, experienced a runway excursion upon landing at Vilnius Airport (VNO) in Lithuania on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. The aircraft, registered as SP-LDK, veered off the paved surface of the taxiway and came to a stop on a grassy area on the northern side of the airfield.
The incident occurred at approximately 13:43 local time. Fortunately, all 63 passengers and four crew members on board were safely disembarked using mobile stairs and transported to the terminal. There were no reported injuries.
Airport Operations Disrupted
Following the incident, Vilnius Airport's runway was temporarily closed to ensure safety and facilitate recovery operations. Initial estimates suggested the runway would reopen by 17:00 local time, but the closure was subsequently extended, with some reports indicating it would remain closed until at least 19:00 or 22:00 local time. This led to the diversion of several incoming flights to other airports, including Riga Airport (RIX).
The return flight, LO772 from Vilnius to Warsaw, was cancelled as a direct consequence of the incident and the need for aircraft inspection.
Weather Conditions and Investigation
The incident took place amidst challenging weather conditions in Vilnius, characterized by heavy snow and slippery surfaces. The Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service had previously issued warnings about freezing temperatures. Flight-tracking data indicated that the aircraft had slowed to under 30 knots before attempting a turn but 'continued straight,' failing to remain on the paved taxiway.
Emergency services, including fire engines, were promptly on the scene. Lithuanian aviation authorities are expected to launch an investigation into the cause of the excursion. LOT Polish Airlines' technical services are also collaborating with Vilnius Airport's operational crew to assess the situation.
6 Comments
Donatello
Quick response from emergency services. Well done to the ground crew.
Muchacho
Challenging conditions, but the safety protocols worked. Good job, LOT.
Mariposa
Vilnius Airport needs better snow removal equipment. This is unacceptable.
Comandante
While the heavy snow clearly presented a significant challenge, airports and airlines must have robust procedures for maintaining safe ground operations. This incident highlights potential gaps that need addressing.
Mariposa
Pilots did a great job getting it down in that snow. No injuries is a miracle.
Leonardo
It's a huge relief that all passengers and crew are safe, which is paramount. However, operating flights in such severe weather conditions always raises questions about risk assessment and necessity.