ANKARA, Turkey — Recovery teams successfully retrieved both cockpit voice and flight data recorders on Wednesday from the wreckage of a Falcon 50 business jet that crashed near Ankara, claiming the lives of Libya’s highest-ranking military commander and seven others. The aircraft, carrying a high-level Libyan defense delegation, experienced catastrophic failure during an emergency landing attempt following reported electrical system malfunctions.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed the recovery operation at the crash site near Kesikkavak village, approximately 70 kilometers south of the Turkish capital. The minister noted the extensive debris field spanning three square kilometers has significantly complicated recovery efforts, with Turkish forensic teams working meticulously to identify remains amid challenging weather conditions that included heavy rain and fog.
The Libyan delegation, led by General Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad, western Libya’s top military commander, had been conducting crucial defense talks with Turkish officials including Defense Minister Yasar Guler. Their discussions focused on enhancing military cooperation between the nations, occurring just one day after Turkey’s parliament approved a two-year extension for Turkish troops stationed in Libya.
According to flight tracking data, the jet departed Ankara’s Esenboga Airport at 8:30 p.m. local time Tuesday before reporting electrical failure approximately 40 minutes into the flight. Air traffic controllers authorized an emergency return, but the aircraft vanished from radar during its descent. Libyan authorities have preliminarily attributed the tragedy to technical malfunction.
The casualties include four additional senior officers: General Al-Fitouri Ghraibil (head of ground forces), Brigadier General Mahmoud Al-Qatawi (military manufacturing authority leader), Mohammed Al-Asawi Diab (advisor to the chief of staff), and Mohammed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub (military photographer). Three crew members’ identities remain undisclosed.
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah declared three days of national mourning, describing the incident as a ‘tragic accident’ and ‘great loss’ for the nation. The crash represents a significant blow to UN-brokered efforts to unify Libya’s divided military establishment, wherein General al-Haddad had played a pivotal role.
Turkish investigation efforts involve four prosecutors and 408 personnel from multiple agencies, including the disaster management agency AFAD, which established a mobile coordination center at the remote crash site. A 22-member Libyan delegation including family members arrived Wednesday to assist with identification procedures.