Ankara–Departure Aircraft Accident Involving Libyan Military Personnel: What We Know So Far

24/12/2025 M.Durgut 122 Views Ankara Esenboga Crash, Falcon 50 crash

Late last night (23.12.2025), an aircraft that departed from Ankara and was reported to be carrying Libyan military personnel was involved in a fatal accident shortly after takeoff. As the event is still very recent, information is evolving and official investigations are ongoing. Below is a fact-based summary of what has been confirmed by official sources, alongside clearly marked areas where details remain unverified or under investigation.

Overview of the Flight

According to initial official statements, the aircraft departed from Ankara Esenboğa Airport on a scheduled international flight bound for Libya. The aircraft was identified as a Falcon 50 business jet, operated as a non-commercial state-related flight.

On board were Libyan military officials, including Mohammed Ali Ahmed al‑Haddad (Chief of the General Staff of the Libyan Armed Forces), along with other members of a Libyan military delegation and the flight crew. The total number of persons on board has been consistently reported by official sources as eight.

Loss of Contact and Crash Site

Shortly after departure, the aircraft reportedly encountered a technical issue and requested priority handling. Shortly thereafter, communication with air traffic services was lost, followed by the loss of radar contact within minutes of takeoff.

Search and rescue units were immediately deployed, and the wreckage was subsequently located in a rural area south of Ankara, in the Haymana region. Emergency responders later confirmed that there were no survivors.

Ankara–Departure Aircraft Accident Involving Libyan Military Personnel: What We Know So Far — **Ankara–Departure Aircraft Accident Involving Libyan Military Personnel**

Confirmed Casualties

Authorities in Libya and Türkiye have confirmed that all occupants of the aircraft lost their lives in the accident. Libyan officials formally announced the death of the Chief of the General Staff and accompanying personnel. Following the announcement, Libya declared a period of national mourning.

Investigation Status

The accident has triggered a formal aviation safety investigation led by Turkish authorities, with coordination and participation expected from Libyan representatives in line with international aviation protocols.

At this stage (24.12.2025):

The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder are reported to have been recovered.
No official cause of the accident has been published.
Early references to a possible technical malfunction have not yet been confirmed by investigative findings.

Arrival of Libyan Authorities in Ankara

A day after the tragic crash on 23 December 2025, a 22-member Libyan delegation—including relatives of the victims and senior officials from Libya’s Defence and Interior Ministries—arrived in Ankara on 24 December 2025 to coordinate with Turkish authorities and support the ongoing investigation into the Falcon 50 accident. The group was received by Turkish counterparts before travelling to the Kesikkavak crash site in Ankara’s Haymana district, where search efforts and examination of the wreckage, including recovered flight data and cockpit voice recorders, were underway.

It is important to underline that no evidence has been released to support claims of sabotage, hostile action, or deliberate interference. Any such assertions currently circulating on social media or informal platforms remain pure speculation.

What Is Not Yet Known (24.12.2025)

Because the incident occurred very recently, several critical questions remain unanswered:

The exact technical failure, if any, that preceded the loss of control
The sequence of events in the cockpit during the final moments of flight
Whether environmental, mechanical, or operational factors played a role

These aspects will only become clear after a detailed analysis of recorded data, wreckage examination, and operational records.

At this moment, the only responsible approach is to rely strictly on verified official information. The crash of the Ankara-departing aircraft carrying Libyan military personnel is a developing aviation accident, and its root cause has not yet been determined.

While various theories and interpretations are already emerging, the incident is too recent for definitive conclusions. The investigation is ongoing, and further clarity will come only through formal safety reports and official statements.

Until then, any narrative beyond confirmed facts should be treated with caution.

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