A DHL cargo plane traveling from Leipzig, Germany, crashed near Vilnius, Lithuania, early Monday, killing one pilot and critically injuring the other.

Two additional crew members survived with minor injuries, and 13 residents were evacuated safely from a nearby building.

The Boeing 737-476, operated by Swiftair, crashed just half a mile from Vilnius Airport, causing a fireball but minimal disruption to airport operations.

Experts suggest the crash may have surprised the pilots, as no emergency was reported during communications before impact, ABC News has reported.

U.S. investigators will assist Lithuanian authorities in the investigation.

Written by B.C. Begley