Ankara, December 24 – A private Falcon 50 business jet, en route from Ankara Esenboğa Airport to Tripoli, lost radar contact and crashed near Haymana, Ankara, on the evening of December 23, 2025. All eight individuals on board, including Libyan Chief of Staff General Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, perished in the accident. The wreckage was located in a rural area near Kesikkavak village.
Tragic Loss: Libyan Delegation and Crew Confirmed Dead
Libyan authorities have confirmed the deaths of five military officials and three crew members who were on board the ill-fated aircraft. AFP news agency also reported that the Libyan Chief of Staff and seven others lost their lives in the crash. The three-person crew consisted entirely of French nationals.
While official confirmation is pending, Libyan media and Al Jazeera have identified the accompanying officials as:
- General Al-Fitouri Gharibil, Commander of the Libyan Ground Forces
- Brigadier General Mahmoud Al-Qatawi, Head of the Military Production Corporation
- Muhammad Al-Asawi Diab, Advisor to the Chief of Staff
- Muhammad Omar Ahmed Mahjoub, Military Photographer
Libya has announced its intention to send a delegation to Ankara to collaborate with Turkish authorities in the investigation of the crash.
Electrical Malfunction Suspected as Cause
Initial findings suggest that an electrical malfunction occurred shortly after the jet departed from Esenboğa. Pilots reportedly informed air traffic control of an emergency and requested to return to the airport. However, the aircraft crashed in the Haymana region before it could land. The plane disappeared from radar screens at 20:36 after reporting an emergency at 20:33.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that the wreckage was found approximately 2 km south of Kesikkavak village in Haymana. Search and rescue operations continued throughout the night despite heavy rain and fog. Jandarma teams secured the crash site, preventing civilian access. Due to the muddy terrain, tracked ambulances were dispatched to the area. Four public prosecutors from the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office are involved in the investigation.
Details of the Aircraft: Dassault Falcon 50
The crashed aircraft was a Dassault Falcon 50, a French-manufactured trijet business jet known for its long range and reliability. Key specifications of the Falcon 50 include:
- First Flight: 1976
- Production: 1976-2008
- Engines: 3 x Honeywell TFE731 turbofan
- Range: Approximately 6,300 km (≈3,400 nm)
- Cruising Speed: Approximately Mach 0.80
- Cabin: 8-9 passengers (configuration dependent)
- Takeoff Distance: Strong performance on relatively short runways
The trijet configuration offers an advantage in oceanic and long-route operations due to enhanced reliability. Its ability to operate from shorter runways provides access to smaller airports. The Falcon 50 also has a reputation for durability in harsh weather conditions and heavy use. While it boasts advantages in range and reliability, its three-engine design leads to higher fuel and maintenance costs compared to modern twinjets, and its avionics are older.
Condolences and National Mourning in Libya
Mohammed el-Menfi, Chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, issued a message of condolence for General Al-Haddad and the accompanying delegation. He expressed profound sadness over the tragic loss during an official mission from Turkey to Tripoli. The Speaker of the House of Representatives in Benghazi, Aguila Saleh, also extended his condolences.
The Libyan Government of National Unity declared three days of national mourning across the country following the deaths. During this period, flags will be flown at half-mast at all state institutions, and all official and celebratory events will be suspended. Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dibeybe instructed the Libyan Ministry of Defense to send an official delegation to Ankara to coordinate directly with Turkish authorities on the investigation.
Investigation Underway
Ankara’s Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into the crash. Four prosecutors, coordinated by a Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor, have been assigned to the case. Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the investigation is being conducted thoroughly and meticulously.
Burhanettin Duran, Head of the Turkish Presidency’s Directorate of Communications, urged the public to rely solely on official statements and to disregard unverified information, speculation, and conspiracy theories circulating on social media to prevent disinformation.
CNN Türk teams on the ground reported that a strong sound was heard by residents in Haymana, who initially mistook it for an earthquake or gas explosion. The area experienced poor visibility due to thick fog and rain, which complicated search efforts. The crash site was secured with barricades, and security tapes were put in place.
General Al-Haddad had been in Ankara at the official invitation of General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, Chief of the General Staff of Turkey. He had held meetings with Turkish National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and General Bayraktaroğlu, among other officials, prior to the tragic incident.
Source: https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/son-dakika-haberi-ankarada-ozel-bir-jetle-baglanti-koptu-43064332
