LOT Flight LO771 Skids Off Runway at Vilnius in Heavy Snow — No Injuries, Airport Temporarily Closed

Image Credit: Gemini AI

What happened — the quick summary

A LOT Polish Airlines Embraer E170 (flight LO771, reg. SP-LDK) arriving from Warsaw veered off the paved surface while vacating the runway at Vilnius Airport (VNO) on 26 November 2025 amid heavy snowfall. All passengers and crew were safely disembarked and no injuries were reported. The incident forced a temporary closure of the runway and disrupted operations while the aircraft was secured and the runway inspected.

Timeline and flight details

According to published flight tracking data, LO771 departed Warsaw Chopin (WAW) and touched down at Vilnius at about 13:42 local time. The Embraer reportedly slid off the paved surface while taxiing toward the stand after landing. Airport authorities temporarily closed the runway and said reopening would follow inspections and removal of the aircraft. Passengers were taken off the jet via stairs and processed on the apron.

Passengers, crew and safety outcome

Local reporting and airline/airport notices indicate all passengers and crew were accounted for and there were no injuries. Authorities and LOT coordinated evacuation and baggage retrieval; passengers were cleared to leave the scene once ground checks and initial procedures were complete. Emergency services and airport teams were on site while the aircraft was secured and the runway inspected.

Weather and operational context

Vilnius was experiencing heavy snow at the time of the landing — conditions that can reduce braking effectiveness, hide runway contaminants, and complicate ground handling. Snow and slush increase the risk of excursions during landing roll or while vacating the runway, which is why airports implement intensified snow-clearing and runway-condition reporting in winter. That said, investigators have not publicly assigned a cause; the matter remains under formal review by aviation authorities.

What the airport and airline said

Vilnius Airport confirmed the runway closure and said it would remain closed at least until 17:00 local time while the aircraft was made safe and the surface inspected. Airport operations staff worked with recovery teams to remove the aircraft and check runway integrity before resuming normal operations. LOT Polish Airlines and the airport released safety notices through their channels; both agencies continue to cooperate with investigators.

Technical notes & initial reporting

• The aircraft type involved was an Embraer E170 (ERJ-170 series) — a regional twin-engine jet commonly used on short international hops in Europe.

  
  

• Aviation monitoring services issued a NOTAM (notice to airmen) related to the event while the runway remained unavailable, and flight movements were temporarily rerouted or delayed as a result.

Operational impact and ripple effects

A runway closure at a primary airport like Vilnius has immediate operational consequences:

• Delays & diversions: Incoming flights during the closure window were either delayed, held, or diverted to alternate airports. Airlines typically reroute in real time when runways are unavailable.

  
  

• Passenger disruption: Those waiting to depart or arriving had itineraries disrupted; airlines and airport staff must rebook passengers, arrange ground transport or overnight accommodation if necessary.

  
  

• Air traffic flow: Air Traffic Control re-sequences traffic to minimize congestion and maintain safety for neighboring sectors.

Airport officials indicated operations would resume only after inspections confirmed the runway was safe for normal use.

Why runway excursions happen (expert context — not a conclusion)

Runway excursions (aircraft leaving the paved surface) are complex events usually caused by a blend of factors. Common contributors include:

• Adverse weather: Snow, ice, standing water or slush can reduce friction and braking effectiveness.

  
  

• Contamination & visibility: Contaminants or reduced sightlines complicate pilot assessment of braking action and taxiing.

  
  

• Mechanical issues: Braking, steering or nose-gear faults can degrade directional control.

  
  

• Human factors: Landing technique, decision-making, or communications in high-workload environments may play a role.

Investigations probe all plausible causes — weather, runway condition reports (e.g., braking-action advisories), aircraft maintenance and crew actions — to determine causal chains. At this stage Vilnius’s incident is being treated as a runway/taxiway excursion that happened during taxiing after landing; authorities will release a formal report when their inquiry is completed.

How airports manage snow risk (what passengers should know)

Airports in northern climates follow rigorous winter operations procedures to keep runways serviceable: continuous snow clearing, friction testing, runway condition reporting (via NOTAMs), and use of runway-friction measurement equipment. Still, heavy and persistent snowfall can temporarily degrade performance and force occasional suspensions. Passengers flying in winter should:

• Monitor flight status closely on the day of travel; airlines may pre-emptively cancel or rebook flights.

  
  

• Expect longer taxi times or wait times during heavy snow.

  
  

• Pack essentials in carry-on luggage in case checked bags are delayed.

These measures help reduce the risk of incidents and speed up airport recovery once conditions improve.

Investigation and likely next steps

Following standard protocol, the Lithuanian aviation safety authority and the airport’s operations team will:

1. Secure the site and remove the aircraft to a safe location.

   
   

2. Inspect and clean the runway, taking friction measurements to ensure safety.

3. Review communications, flight data and crew reports.

   
   

4. Examine meteorological records and runway condition reporting (including any NOTAMs active at the time).

   
   

5. If warranted, open a formal safety investigation (sometimes coordinated with the aircraft’s State of Registry and the manufacturer).

Final causal findings often take weeks or months; interim safety messages may be issued if immediate actions are recommended.

Broader safety record & public reassurance

Runway excursions are among the most frequent types of airport incidents, but the vast majority do not result in serious injuries — particularly when crews follow procedures and aircraft are well certified. The safe evacuation and lack of injuries in this Vilnius event are important reminders that standard emergency procedures, crew training, and rapid airport response work to protect people even when operations go awry. Officials and airlines typically use these events to review procedures and, where necessary, improve winter-ops planning.