A private jet carrying Libya’s army chief of staff reported an electrical failure and requested an emergency landing shortly before crashing near Ankara, Turkey’s head of communications, Burhanettin Duran, said on Wednesday.
The Dassault Falcon 50 jet departed Ankara’s Esenboga Airport at 1717 GMT on Tuesday, heading to Tripoli. At 1733 GMT, the aircraft informed air traffic control of an emergency caused by an electrical malfunction. Air traffic controllers redirected the jet back toward Esenboga Airport, but it disappeared from radar at 1736 GMT while descending, losing contact entirely.
Eight people, including three crew members, were killed in the crash, Turkish and Libyan officials confirmed. Among the deceased was Libya’s army chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, along with four members of his entourage.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the aircraft had requested an emergency landing while flying over Ankara’s Haymana district. The wreckage was later discovered near Kesikkavak village, with Turkish search and rescue teams reaching the site shortly after.
Duran stated that investigations are ongoing, involving all relevant authorities, to determine the cause of the crash. Libyan officials added that the jet, leased and registered in Malta, will have its ownership and technical history examined as part of the inquiry.
The incident highlights the risks faced by military and diplomatic flights and comes amid heightened scrutiny of aircraft maintenance and operational safety standards.
Melissa Enoch
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