Turkish Armed Forces C-130 Cargo Aircraft Crash (2025) is a military aviation accident that occurred on 11 November 2025 on the Georgia–Azerbaijan border. In the incident, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules military cargo aircraft belonging to the Turkish Air Force, returning from Azerbaijan to Türkiye, crashed near Signagi in Georgia’s Kakheti region, approximately 5 kilometers from the Azerbaijani border. As a result of the crash, 20 Turkish Armed Forces personnel, including the flight crew, were martyred.
Moment of the Military Cargo Aircraft Crash, 11 November 2025 - (NTV)
Course of the Accident
In its initial statement in the early hours of the incident, the Ministry of National Defense (MSB) announced: “A C130 military cargo aircraft of ours, which took off from Azerbaijan to come to our country, has crashed on the Georgia–Azerbaijan border.”
It was reported that shortly after taking off from the city of Ganja in Azerbaijan for its return to Türkiye, the aircraft lost radar contact in Georgian airspace. According to the Georgian Air Navigation Administration, the aircraft lost radar contact a few minutes after entering Georgian airspace, and it was also stated that “the aircraft did not transmit any emergency signal.”
The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that “a military transport aircraft belonging to the Turkish Air Force crashed in the Signagi region, 5 kilometers from the Azerbaijani border, and an investigation into the accident has been launched.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in a statement made during the “City and Space in Our Civilization” themed Urbanism Summit held on the same day, said: “Today, with deep sorrow, we learned that our C130-type military aircraft coming from Azerbaijan to our country crashed on the Georgia–Azerbaijan border. Our efforts are continuing in coordination with the relevant authorities of the country. God willing, we will overcome this accident with the least possible loss. May Allah have mercy on our martyrs, and with our prayers, may we stand by them.”
Search and Rescue Operations
Georgian search and rescue teams announced that they reached the wreckage of the aircraft at 17:00 on 11 November. In a statement issued by the Ministry of National Defense, it was noted: “Georgian search and rescue teams reached the wreckage of the aircraft at 17:00. The wreckage has been secured for examination by our crash investigation teams.”
The Ministry stated that the search activities were carried out in coordination with Georgian authorities, adding: “For our C-130 military cargo aircraft that crashed in Georgia, our crash investigation and search and rescue team that rapidly deployed to the region continues its work at the scene in coordination with Georgian authorities.”
Despite nightfall on 11 November, units of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs and Turkish search and rescue teams continued their operations in the area. Three helicopters, ambulances, and fire trucks also took part in the activities at the crash site.
Teams dispatched from the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs conducted operations in a mountainous area belonging to Signagi Municipality. Georgian Minister of Internal Affairs Gela Geladze also personally participated in the search and rescue activities. Numerous teams affiliated with the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs established a wide security perimeter; ambulances and fire trucks were directed to the area. Additionally, military personnel from the Georgian armed forces supported the operations.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated on 12 November 2025: “We received information that the wreckage of the aircraft was reached at 17:00 the same evening. The area where the aircraft wreckage was found was cordoned off for security purposes. Again, last night, we ensured the deployment of our 46-person crash investigation team to the region.”
Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran issued the following statement regarding the ongoing efforts: “Search and rescue and crash investigation teams continue their work concerning our aircraft that crashed on the Azerbaijan–Georgia border. The remains of our esteemed martyrs will be brought to our country on our A-400M aircraft, which transported our search and rescue and crash investigation team to Georgia. We thank the Georgian authorities, who mobilized all their resources from the very first moment of the wreckage search efforts, reacted swiftly, and provided us with support. Further updates on the matter will continue to be shared.”
Georgian Minister of Internal Affairs Geka Geladze stated: “We have formed an international investigation team. The team includes officials from Türkiye as well. They worked at the scene throughout the night and actively participated in the investigation process. The investigation is being conducted in coordination with Türkiye.”
Radar image of the crashed cargo plane, November 11, 2025 - (Flightradar24)
Recovery of the Black Box and Access to the Martyrs’ Remains
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced during the AK Party Extended Provincial Chairs Meeting on 12 November 2025 that the aircraft’s black box had been found. Erdoğan said: “We received information that the wreckage of the aircraft was reached at 17:00 the same evening. The area where the aircraft wreckage was found was cordoned off for security purposes. Again, last night, we ensured the deployment of our 46-person crash investigation team to the region. The black box of our aircraft has been found, and examinations have begun. We have reached the remains of 19 of our martyrs. Search efforts for the final remains are ongoing.”
The aircraft’s black box was brought to Türkiye for examination. On 13 November 2025, the Ministry of National Defense announced that the final martyr’s body had been recovered from the wreckage site. The statement read: “As a result of the search efforts conducted in the wreckage of our military cargo aircraft that crashed on the Azerbaijan–Georgia border, the remains of our 20th martyr have been found. We wish Allah’s mercy upon our esteemed martyrs and extend our condolences and patience to their grieving families and our noble nation.”
Identities of the Martyred Soldiers
On 11 November 2025, the Ministry of National Defense publicly released the identities of the soldiers who were martyred in the military cargo aircraft that crashed on the Azerbaijan–Georgia border. The devastating news was delivered to each martyr’s family by military officials accompanied by healthcare personnel. Following the notifications, Turkish flags were hung on the homes of the martyrs, and condolence tents were established.
Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler said in his condolence message: “Our heroic comrades-in-arms were martyred on 11 November 2025 due to the crash of our C130 military cargo aircraft, which had taken off from Azerbaijan to come to our country, on the Georgia–Azerbaijan border. I wish Allah’s mercy upon our heroic martyrs on behalf of myself and the members of the Ministry of National Defense, and I extend my condolences and patience to their grieving families and our noble nation.”
The list of martyred soldiers shared by the Ministry of National Defense is as follows:
- Air Pilot Lieutenant Colonel Gökhan Korkmaz
- Air Pilot Major Serdar Uslu
- Air Pilot Major Nihat İlgen
- Air Pilot First Lieutenant Cüneyt Kandemir
- Air Aircraft Maintenance First Lieutenant Emre Mercan
- Air Aircraft Maintenance Senior Master Sergeant Nuri Özcan
- Air Aircraft Maintenance Senior Master Sergeant Ümit İnce
- Air Aircraft Maintenance Master Sergeant Hamdi Armağan Kaplan
- Air Aircraft Maintenance Master Sergeant Burak Özkan
- Air Aircraft Maintenance Master Sergeant İlker Aykut
- Air Aircraft Maintenance Master Sergeant Akın Karakuş
- Air Aircraft Maintenance Master Sergeant Emrah Kuran
- Air Aircraft Maintenance Master Sergeant Ramazan Yağız
- Air Aircraft Maintenance Staff Sergeant Emre Altıok
- Air Aircraft Maintenance Staff Sergeant Berkay Karaca
- Air Aircraft Maintenance Staff Sergeant Burak İbbiği
- Air Aircraft Maintenance Staff Sergeant İlhan Ongan
- Air Logistics Senior Sergeant Ahmet Yasir Kuyucu
- Air Transport Specialist Sergeant Cem Dolapci
- Air Transport Specialist Sergeant Emre Sayın
Identities of the Martyred Soldiers – (Ministry of National Defense)
Official and Diplomatic Statements
Statements by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, speaking at the AK Party Extended Provincial Chairs Meeting on 12 November 2025, shared details regarding the cause of the crash, stating: “First of all, may our entire nation be blessed with patience. Yesterday, we received a very painful piece of news that plunged all 86 million of us into sorrow. Our C130-type military cargo aircraft carrying our unit that was in Azerbaijan for the 5th anniversary celebrations of the Karabakh Victory crashed in the Signagi region near the Georgia–Azerbaijan border shortly after taking off to return to our country. In this tragic incident, unfortunately, we lost 20 sons of our homeland.”
Erdoğan commemorated the fallen soldiers one by one, saying: “I respectfully remember with mercy our flight crew—Lieutenant Colonel Gökhan Korkmaz, Major Nihat İlgen, Major Serdar Uslu, First Lieutenant Cüneyt Kandemir, Senior Master Sergeant Nuri Özcan, Senior Master Sergeant Ümit İnce, Master Sergeant Emrah Kuran, Master Sergeant Burak Özkan, Staff Sergeant Emre Altıok, Staff Sergeant Burak İbbiği—and our passenger personnel—First Lieutenant Emre Mercan, Master Sergeant Ramazan Yağız, Master Sergeant Hamdi Armağan Kaplan, Master Sergeant İlker Aykut, Master Sergeant Akın Karakuş, Staff Sergeant Berkay Karaca, Staff Sergeant İlhan Ongan, Senior Sergeant Ahmet Yasir Kuyucu, Specialist Sergeant Cem Dolapci, and Specialist Sergeant Emre Sayın—whose names we have inscribed in the most cherished corner of our hearts.”
He continued: “May Allah make the abodes of our martyrs paradise and raise their ranks. It is certainly impossible to describe the fire in our hearts. We swallow our tears and bury our pain in our hearts. But we also know this: giving one’s life for the security of their homeland, nation, and state—whatever the circumstances—undoubtedly represents the greatest and most honorable of sacrifices and acts of bravery. The heroes who were martyred yesterday in the crashed aircraft have reached the rank of martyrdom, the highest rank after prophethood. As a nation, we owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude to our martyrs. I extend my condolences and wishes of patience to each of our 86 million citizens, to the grieving families of our esteemed martyrs, and to the Turkish Armed Forces.”
President Erdoğan stated that following the crash, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan contacted their counterparts, and search and rescue operations were initiated rapidly. He explained that unmanned aerial vehicles were used in cooperation with Georgian authorities and that the wreckage was reached at 17:00.
Sharing details of the field efforts, Erdoğan emphasized: “The area where the aircraft wreckage was found has been cordoned off for security purposes. Last night, we ensured the deployment of our 46-person crash investigation team to the region.” President Erdoğan added: “The black box of our aircraft has been found, and examinations have begun. We have reached the remains of 19 of our martyrs. Search efforts for the last remains continue. During this process, we also spoke by phone with President Aliyev of Azerbaijan and then with Georgian Prime Minister Kobakhidze.”
The President noted that the Republic of Türkiye had taken all necessary steps to clarify every aspect of the crash, stating: “Georgian authorities are providing every necessary convenience and cooperation at the highest level during this process. Our Azerbaijani brothers are likewise providing every necessary support and contribution. Let my nation rest assured: together with the Republic of Türkiye, all the resources of Georgia and Azerbaijan have been mobilized for our heroes. The work on the ground is being monitored moment by moment. We will ensure that the necessary investigations are carried out meticulously and that the incident is clarified in all its dimensions.”
Statement by Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya
On 11 November, Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya held a phone call with Georgian Minister of Internal Affairs Geka Geladze. In a statement on social media, Yerlikaya said that he had learned “with deep sorrow” that the C130-type military cargo aircraft belonging to the Ministry of National Defense, flying from Azerbaijan to Türkiye, had crashed on the Georgia–Azerbaijan border. Noting that search and rescue operations were ongoing, Yerlikaya stated that his Georgian counterpart Geladze had gone to the crash site and conveyed his wishes of recovery to the Turkish nation.
Statement by Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran
Communications Director Burhanettin Duran said in his social media statement: “Following the crash of a military cargo aircraft this afternoon on the Georgia–Azerbaijan border, search and rescue efforts were immediately initiated. For the sake of accurate public information, it is important that only the statements of our official institutions be considered, and that unverified information not be shared. Respectfully announced to the public.”
In a second post, Duran added: “Our President has been receiving instant updates regarding the search and rescue efforts from the very first moment and is closely monitoring the operations. Our President has also held conversations with his counterparts in both Georgia and Azerbaijan. Search and rescue teams have reached the wreckage of our aircraft, and necessary security measures have been taken. The teams are continuing their efforts with great diligence. Investigations regarding the cause of the crash will be carried out meticulously.”
Statement by Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Numan Kurtulmuş
Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş stated on social media regarding the crash of the military cargo aircraft on the Georgia–Azerbaijan border: “I learned with great sorrow that our military cargo aircraft belonging to the Ministry of National Defense, returning to our country from Azerbaijan, crashed in Georgia. We are closely following the ongoing search and rescue operations in the region. I wish Allah’s mercy upon our martyrs and patience to their families and loved ones. May our noble nation be blessed with patience.”
Statement by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz stated the following regarding his phone call with Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov: “Prime Minister Ali Asadov of Azerbaijan called us to convey his solidarity and condolences regarding our military cargo aircraft that crashed within Georgian territory while returning to our country from Azerbaijan. During our phone conversation, they expressed that brotherly Azerbaijan has been closely following the process with strong solidarity. I thank Mr. Asadov on behalf of the brotherly Azerbaijani people for the condolences conveyed and the sincere solidarity demonstrated.”
Statements by Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan
Minister Hakan Fidan stated in a social media post that they were closely monitoring the search and rescue operations together with Georgian authorities, adding: “May Allah have mercy on our martyrs, and may He grant patience to their families and loved ones.” He also held a phone call with Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maka Bochorishvili.
