Ankara–Haymana Jet Crash (2025)

Ankara–Haymana Jet Crash (2025), 23 December 2025, when a Falcon 50-type private jet carrying a Libyan military delegation departed from Ankara Esenboğa Airport bound for Mitiga Airport in Tripoli, Libya, crashed within the borders of Türkiye, in the district of Haymana, Ankara, resulting in an aviation accident. The incident occurred in a non-residential area near Kesikkavak Village, Haymana district, shortly after the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control units following takeoff.

All aboard perished in the crash, including members of the Libyan military delegation, among them Libyan Chief of Staff General Muhammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, and the three-member flight crew. The aircraft, a civil-registered private jet under Malta Civil Aviation, was conducting the return flight of a Libyan military delegation on an official visit to Türkiye when the accident occurred.

Nature of the Flight and Official Visit Process

The flight was conducted during the return journey of a Libyan military delegation visiting Türkiye on an official visit. After completing their engagements in Türkiye, the delegation departed from Ankara Esenboğa Airport. The delegation members were senior military officials of the Libyan Armed Forces.

The return flight was planned from Ankara Esenboğa Airport to Mitiga Airport in Tripoli, Libya’s capital. The flight was carried out using a civil-registered Falcon 50-type private jet. It was reported that the flight was planned in accordance with international civil aviation procedures and that standard communication protocols were maintained with air traffic control units.

Aircraft Information

The aircraft involved in the crash was a Falcon 50-type private jet. It operated under civil aviation status and was registered with Malta Civil Aviation. The aircraft’s tail number was reported as 9H-DFS. The flight was conducted under civil aviation regulations and did not involve a military aircraft.

During air traffic control communications, the flight was identified by the call sign HMJ185. From takeoff, the aircraft maintained contact with the Ankara Esenboğa Airport Air Traffic Control Center.

Onboard the aircraft were:

• five members of the Libyan military delegation,
• a three-member flight crew

for a total of eight people. All individuals on board were confirmed to have perished in the crash.

Course of the Accident

After takeoff, the aircraft followed air traffic control instructions and executed a gradual climb in altitude. According to air traffic control records, the aircraft was cleared to reach a maximum altitude of 34,000 feet during the flight.

During the cruise phase, the pilots reported a general electrical failure. Subsequently, the aircraft issued a PAN-PAN emergency call to notify air traffic control. The pilots then requested to return to Ankara Esenboğa Airport.

Following the technical failure report, the aircraft activated the 7700 emergency code. At this stage, radio communications between the pilots and air traffic controllers were reported to have experienced interference. Partial losses of altitude and flight data were recorded on radar screens.

After the technical failure report, the aircraft maintained contact with air traffic control between 20:31 and 20:36 local time. During this period, PAN-PAN calls were repeated, and radar vectors and descent levels for an emergency return to Ankara Esenboğa Airport were provided to the pilots. At 20:36 local time, it was recorded that the intelligibility of pilot-controller communications was lost, the pilot’s voice became difficult to hear, and partial losses of flight data on radar screens increased.

By 20:38 local time, the aircraft was no longer visible on air traffic control radar; subsequent calls on various frequencies received no response. Following the loss of contact, relevant units were notified to initiate search and rescue operations.

The aircraft crashed in a non-residential open area within the borders of Türkiye, in the district of Haymana, Ankara, near Kesikkavak Village. The wreckage was located approximately 2 kilometers south of Kesikkavak Village.

Search, Rescue, and Wreckage Operations

Following the loss of contact with the aircraft, emergency services were dispatched to the site after a report was made to the 112 Emergency Call Center. Search and rescue operations were initiated under the coordination of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and the Air Forces Command. Teams deployed to the area began operations using both air and ground assets.

The wreckage was located approximately 2 kilometers south of Kesikkavak Village, Haymana district. The crash site was secured by security forces and access was restricted to civilians. A mobile coordination center was established by AFAD to manage the incident site and ensure inter-institutional coordination.

Search and rescue operations continued throughout the night under heavy rain and fog. Due to the area being covered in mud and sludge, tracked ambulances were used in the operations.

A total of 408 personnel from the following agencies participated in the wreckage operations: AFAD, Gendarmerie, Police, Health, UMKE, Land Forces Command, Air Forces Command, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure’s Transport Safety Investigation Center, Fire Department, and State Airports Authority. On-site, 103 ground vehicles and 7 aircraft were deployed, including UAVs, thermal and lighting drones, 8x8 and 4x4 search and rescue vehicles, and K9 units.

Wreckage Investigations

Turkish Institutions’ Investigations at the Wreckage Site

Following the discovery of the wreckage, Turkish institutions conducted investigations at the site. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya visited the AFAD Mobile Coordination Center established at the site and received briefings from officials. Yerlikaya made statements regarding the ongoing search, rescue, and technical investigation activities.

Additionally, the Turkish Armed Forces command traveled to the crash site. Chief of the General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, accompanied by Land Forces Commander General Metin Tokel, Air Forces Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, and Navy Commander Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, conducted inspections and assessments in the wreckage area around Kesikkavak Village. After the inspections, the delegation moved to the AFAD Mobile Coordination Center and received briefings from Ankara Governor Vasip Şahin and other relevant officials.

Libyan Institutions’ Investigations at the Wreckage Site

Following the crash, a delegation appointed by the Libyan Ministry of Defense and the Libyan Ministry of Interior traveled to Türkiye. The delegation included five relatives of the deceased and other officials appointed by Libyan authorities, forming a total of 22 members.

The Libyan military and civilian officials were received in Ankara by Turkish Ministry of National Defense officials and then transported by road to the wreckage site in Kesikkavak Village, Haymana district. The delegation conducted on-site inspections and received briefings on the ongoing judicial and technical procedures.

Flight Recorders and Technical Evidence

During the wreckage operations, the aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) were located. The discovery of the recorders was carried out by teams from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure’s Transport Safety Investigation Center.

According to official statements, the cockpit voice recorder was located at 02:45, and the flight data recorder (black box) at 03:20 during the search operations.

Following the recovery of the recorders, it was announced that preliminary report analysis had begun. It was stated that the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder would be subject to detailed analysis, and that this analysis would be conducted in a neutral country. It was confirmed that the investigation would be carried out by relevant institutions and that technical assessments would be based on these recordings.

Judicial Process

Following the crash, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched a judicial investigation. Under the investigation, four public prosecutors coordinated by one chief prosecutor were assigned. The prosecutors participated in the wreckage operations and monitored the judicial procedures at the site. It was stated that the investigation aimed to fully clarify all aspects of the accident.

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office also initiated a separate investigation into the dissemination of false information and data on social media platforms regarding the crash. Under the charge of “publicly disseminating misleading information”, a formal investigation was launched. It was stated that the investigation aimed to prevent the spread of unverified content related to the crash.

Victims of the Crash

It was reported that a total of eight people, including Libyan Chief of Staff General Muhammed Ali Al-Haddad, lost their lives in the crash. Of the eight, five were members of the Libyan military delegation and three were members of the flight crew.

Libyan National Unity Government Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dibeybe announced in a statement that the deceased military personnel were Libyan Armed Forces Chief of Staff Muhammed Ali Al-Haddad, Land Forces Commander Feyturi al-Gribil, Military Industry Authority Commander Brigadier General Mahmoud al-Katavi, Chief of Staff Advisor Muhammed Asavi Diyab, and Chief of Staff Press Office Photographer Muhammed Mahcub.

Judicial Procedures and Funeral Process for the Deceased

Following the crash, the bodies of the Libyan military delegation members and flight crew were transported to the Ankara Forensic Medicine Institute Group Presidency for judicial procedures. There, postmortem examinations and autopsies were initiated.

It was announced that DNA samples would be collected from the relatives of the deceased for identification purposes. The procedures were stated to be conducted under the coordination of Turkish and Libyan authorities. After completion, the bodies were expected to be handed over to their families.

Authorities indicated that the bodies of the deceased would be transported to Libya following a ceremony to be held at the Murted Air Base Command. The repatriation process was stated to be carried out under the coordination of relevant institutions.

National Mourning in Libya

Following the crash, the Libyan National Unity Government announced a three-day national mourning period across the country. In its official statement, the government expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and to the members of the Libyan Armed Forces.

The statement announced the following measures during the mourning period: “All state institutions will lower their flags to half-mast, and all official and celebratory events will be suspended. This decision is made in response to the tragic death of Libyan Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Muhammed El-Haddad and his colleagues, who perished in an accident while returning from an official mission in Türkiye.”

The same statement also revealed that Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dibeybe had ordered the Libyan Ministry of Defense to send an official delegation to Türkiye to investigate the circumstances of the incident.

Diplomatic and Political Reactions

Official Statements from Libya

Following the crash, Libyan National Unity Government Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dibeybe issued a condolence message regarding the death of Libyan Chief of Staff General Muhammed Ali Al-Haddad and the accompanying delegation. In his message, Dibeybe confirmed the identities of those who perished and stated: “We have learned with great sorrow and grief that Libyan Armed Forces Chief of Staff Muhammed El-Haddad, Land Forces Commander Feyturi al-Gribil, Military Industry Authority Commander Brigadier General Mahmoud El-Katavi, Chief of Staff Advisor Muhammed Asavi Diyab, and Chief of Staff Press Office Photographer Muhammed Mahcub lost their lives in a tragic accident while returning from an official visit to Ankara, Türkiye.”

In a statement issued by the Libyan Presidential Council, Council Chairman Muhammed el-Menfi issued a condolence message for the deceased. Menfi stated: “On behalf of the Libyan people, we extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies due to the tragic accident and heartbreaking loss of life that occurred while the delegation was returning from an official mission in Türkiye.”

Additionally, Halifa Hafter, leader of the armed forces in eastern Libya, issued a condolence message for General Muhammed El-Haddad. The statement included his words: “We extend our condolences and sympathies for the death of General Muhammed El-Haddad, who perished in the aircraft crash in Türkiye.”

Separate condolence messages were also issued by the House of Representatives in Benghazi and its Deputy Speaker Misbah Duma.

Statements by Turkish Authorities

Following the crash, a series of statements were issued by Turkish state institutions and senior officials.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan conducted a phone call with Libyan Presidential Council Chairman Muhammed Yunus el-Menfi. During the call, condolences were conveyed for the loss of life in the crash involving Libyan Chief of Staff General Muhammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad and the accompanying military delegation. President Erdoğan also confirmed that search and rescue operations at the wreckage site were ongoing without interruption.

Director of the Presidency of Communications Burhanettin Duran, in his statement on the incident, conveyed condolences to the Libyan people for the crash of the jet carrying the Libyan military delegation. The statement included expressions of sympathy for the deceased.

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, in a social media post, issued a condolence message for the Libyan military delegation members who perished in the crash in Ankara and stated that the investigation into the crash was being conducted with diligence.

Separate condolence messages were also issued by Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, and Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat. These statements expressed condolences for the loss of Libyan Chief of Staff General Muhammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, Libyan Land Forces Commander General Feyturi Gribel, the accompanying military delegation, and the flight crew.

Chief of the General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, in his message, stated that the Libyan military delegation was in Türkiye on an official visit and that the crash during its return journey was met with deep sorrow by the Turkish Armed Forces. The message expressed condolences for the deceased members of the military delegation.

Additionally, separate condolence messages were issued by AK Party Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala, AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik, and Nationalist Movement Party Chairman Devlet Bahçeli. These messages noted that the Libyan military delegation lost their lives during their return from an official mission in Türkiye and expressed condolences to the Libyan people.

Condolence Messages from Other Countries

Following the crash, official condolence messages were issued by Jordan, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Palestine directed to the Libyan government and people. The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in its written statement, conveyed condolences to the Libyan government and people for the loss of the Libyan military delegation.

In a statement by the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, solidarity with the Libyan government and people was expressed due to the death of the military officials. The Syrian Ministry of Defense also issued a separate condolence message to the Libyan Ministry of Defense. The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared a message of solidarity with the Libyan government and people and conveyed condolences for the deceased.

In a statement issued by the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condolences were conveyed to the Libyan people for the death of Libyan Chief of Staff General Muhammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad and the accompanying military delegation.

Official Ceremony Held in Ankara

Ankara–Haymana Jet Crash (2025) resulted in the loss of lives of members of the Libya military delegation. An official ceremony was held in Ankara on 27 December 2025 to honor the deceased. The ceremony took place after the completion of forensic procedures for the remains of those who perished in the crash.

Under the judicial process related to the crash, the remains of the Libyan military delegation were retrieved after procedures conducted at the Ankara Forensic Medicine Institution Group Presidency. Following the completion of these procedures, the remains were transported by road to the ceremonial area within the Mürted Air Base Command in Ankara.

The ceremony for the deceased was held at the Mürted Air Base Command. A moment of silence was observed, followed by a recitation of the Quran and prayers offered for those who lost their lives in the crash. As part of the ceremony program, the names of the deceased Libyan military personnel were read out individually.

After the names were read, the remains of the Libyan military delegation were loaded onto a aircraft within the ceremonial setup and dispatched with honors to Libya.

The ceremony was attended by Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, Chief of the General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, Commander of the Land Forces General Metin Tokel, Commander of the Naval Forces Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, Libya’s Ambassador to Ankara Mustafa Elgelaib, members of the Libyan military delegation, and families of the deceased.

Following the repatriation of the remains of the Libyan military delegation to their country, Chief of the General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu departed for Libya to attend the military ceremony to be held there.

Military Ceremonies Held in Libya

Libya’s military delegation’s remains arrived in Tripoli, and on 27 December a military ceremony was held at the Libyan Ministry of Defense building. The ceremony was attended by Chief of the General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu and Turkey’s Ambassador to Tripoli Güven Begeç.

Speaking at the ceremony, Libyan Government of National Unity Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dibeybe stated that the investigation into the aircraft carrying the Libyan military delegation that crashed in Ankara is being conducted with seriousness and responsibility and is being closely monitored in close cooperation with the Republic of Türkiye. Dibeybe emphasized that the deceased military delegation consisted not only of military leaders but also of individuals bearing state responsibility. He offered condolences to the families of the deceased and prayers for their eternal peace.

Dibeybe thanked officials from various countries, starting with the Republic of Türkiye, for attending the ceremony. It was reported that the ceremony was conducted with the participation of Libyan military and political institutions.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council Muhammad al-Menfi announced that the deceased Libyan military delegation is being honored by the Libyan people. In his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Armed Forces, Menfi declared that the ranks of Libyan Chief of General Staff General Muhammad al-Haddad and Commander of the Libyan Land Forces Fathi al-Ghraybil, who lost their lives in the crash, have been posthumously elevated.

In his speech, Menfi referred to the professional dedication and sense of responsibility of the deceased military officials, affirming their service to Libya. It was stated that the decision to elevate their ranks was taken within the official authority of the Libyan Presidential Council.

The remains of Libyan Chief of General Staff General Muhammad al-Haddad, his advisor Muhammad Assavi Diyab, and photographer Muhammad Mahcub were sent to Libya. The remains were delivered to the city of Misrata.

The funeral ceremony was held at the Medina Riyadiye Stadium in Misrata. Attendees included Libyan Government of National Unity Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dibeybe, Minister of Transport Muhammad ash-Shuhubi, officials from Turkey’s Consulate General in Misrata, Libyan Task Force Commander Major General Mustafa Koshan, numerous commanders from the Libyan armed forces, family members of the deceased, and residents of Misrata.

Following a prayer held at the stadium, a funeral prayer was performed for General al-Haddad, advisor Diyab, and photographer Mahcub. After the prayer, the remains were transferred to hearses.

The remains of General Muhammad al-Haddad were buried at the Misrata al-Gameri Cemetery. After the burial, the Libyan General Staff Honor Guard performed a military ceremony at the gravesite. Deputy Minister of Defense Abdusselam Zubi also attended the burial and military ceremony.

Chief of General Staff Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu’s Visits to Libya

Following the repatriation of the Libyan military delegation’s remains to Libya, Chief of General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu attended the funeral ceremony held in Tripoli on 27 December. After the ceremony, General Bayraktaroğlu conducted official meetings in Tripoli.

In this context, Chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council Muhammad Yunus al-Menfi received General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu at the Presidential Council building. During the meeting, Bayraktaroğlu expressed his deep sorrow over the crash of the aircraft carrying the Libyan military delegation in Ankara and conveyed the condolences of the Government of the Republic of Türkiye to the Libyan people. It was noted that both countries reaffirmed their commitment to continue military cooperation and coordination.

General Bayraktaroğlu also held talks with Libyan Government of National Unity Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dibeybe. During the meeting, Bayraktaroğlu conveyed Türkiye’s condolences and highlighted Türkiye’s appreciation for the contributions of the late Libyan Chief of General Staff al-Haddad to the development of Libya’s military institutions and for his role in strengthening Türkiye–Libya military and security cooperation. The meeting was attended by Libyan Minister of Interior Imad al-Trabulsi, State Minister Walid al-Lafi, Deputy Minister of Defense Abdusselam Zubi, Deputy Chief of the Libyan General Staff Salah al-Nemrushi, and Turkey’s Ambassador to Tripoli Güven Begeç.

Completion of Debris Clearance Operations

Operations at the crash site near Kesikkavak village in Haymana district, Ankara have been completed. Teams from Libya and France, alongside Turkish officials, participated in the investigation at the debris site.

The teams from Libya and France were received by Turkish authorities and transported to the crash site. Survey and technical examination work at the site was completed on 27 December 2025. Following the investigations, debris removal operations began. Authorities indicated that the debris is expected to be sent to Malta.