Technical Failure Suspected in Crash of Military Aircraft Carrying Libyan Officials Near Ankara
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Turkish authorities are investigating the crash of a military aircraft carrying senior Libyan officials near Ankara, with initial reports suggesting technical failure as the probable cause. The aircraft, which had Libyan Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammed al-Haddad and his delegation on board, disappeared from radar shortly after requesting an emergency landing.
Jihad Tawz, a former advisor to the Turkish Prime Minister and Middle East expert, stated that official information indicates the plane requested an emergency landing 35 minutes after takeoff from Ankara before losing contact and crashing near Himana. All nearby airports were prepared to receive the aircraft, but the opportunity for an emergency landing was lost, likely due to electronic system failures.
Elif Shafiq, a former advisor to the Turkish President, noted the pilot had reported technical issues and requested a return to the airport before the aircraft vanished from radar. A large explosion, likely caused by fuel ignition, occurred after the crash. Search teams have located the wreckage and confirmed no survivors among the passengers, which included Major General al-Fatouri Ghribil, Chief of Staff of the Libyan Ground Forces, and Brigadier General Mohammed al-Qatwi, head of Libya’s Military Industry Organization.
The Libyan officials had been in Turkey for discussions on bilateral maritime agreements prior to the incident. Turkish authorities have informed Libyan counterparts of the recovery efforts and ongoing technical investigations.
