Sat Dec 27 14:34:41 UTC 2025: For Immediate Release

Turkish and Libyan Officials Investigate Fatal Jet Crash Near Ankara

Ankara, Turkiye – A joint investigation is underway between Turkish and Libyan authorities following the crash of a private jet on Tuesday that killed Libyan army chief, Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, and seven others. The French civil aviation investigations agency, BEA, will also participate in the probe.

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office is coordinating the investigation, focusing on a comprehensive analysis of technical data, including flight recordings, radar data, air traffic control recordings, and airport CCTV footage. Officials are scrutinizing the flight recordings, crew activity, aircraft maintenance logs, and communication logs between the pilots and the control tower. The crew’s rest periods, medical history, and pre-flight meals are also being reviewed.

The French-made Dassault Falcon 50, en route back to Libya after departing from Ankara Esenboga Airport at 2:17 pm, reported an electrical malfunction 16 minutes into the flight and requested an emergency return. Radar contact was lost shortly after at 2:41 pm as the aircraft descended towards the runway.

The crash site, located near Kesikkavak village, has been secured by Turkish security forces. All wreckage, including the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder (“black boxes”), has been recovered and transported for analysis. Fuel samples from the wreckage and airport tanks are being tested to rule out contamination or incorrect fuel use, and local weather data from the time of the crash has been requested.

Former head of the Turkish air force’s intelligence agency Gursel Tokmakoglu emphasized the international nature of the incident, given the involvement of various countries. Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu previously mentioned the possibility of sending the black boxes abroad for further analysis, potentially to ensure transparency.

Aviation industry analyst Guntay Simsek noted the absence of evidence suggesting an external factor caused the crash. The investigation is following ICAO regulations, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days and a final report within 12 months.

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