Türkiye Launches Investigation into Plane Crash Carrying Libya’s Army Chief

Türkiye has formed an investigative team of four prosecutors led by the First Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor of Ankara to examine the plane crash, Anadolu Agency reported.

After receiving information about the aircraft that went down in a mountainous area near Kesikkavak village in Ankara’s Haymana district, gendarmerie units, fire crews and medical teams were dispatched to the scene.

Rescue teams reached the crash area on foot due to harsh weather conditions and muddy, inaccessible roads. Emergency services are currently continuing operations at the site.

Türkiye’s Minister of Justice, Yılmaz Tunç, confirmed that an official investigation has begun into the crash of the aircraft carrying Libya’s Chief of General Staff, Colonel General Muhammad Ali al-Haddad.

He stated that the investigation is being conducted thoroughly and with careful consideration of all circumstances. Tunç shared the update on the social media platform NSosyal.

On Tuesday evening, the Falcon aircraft departed Ankara’s Esenboğa Airport for Tripoli but crashed shortly after takeoff. The Libyan government in Tripoli confirmed the death of Muhammad Ali al-Haddad.

According to Turkish media reports, the aircraft disappeared from radar approximately 70 kilometers south of Ankara, near the town of Haymana. Türkiye’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said communication with the Falcon 50 was lost at 20:52 local time.

Al-Haddad was traveling with four additional passengers.