Electrical Failure Reported Before Jet Carrying Libya’s Army Chief Crashed Near Ankara

Ankara: A private jet carrying Libya’s army chief of staff reported an electrical malfunction and requested an emergency landing shortly before crashing near the Turkish capital, Ankara, Turkish officials said on Wednesday.

According to Turkey’s head of communications, Burhanettin Duran, the Dassault Falcon 50 aircraft departed Ankara’s Esenboga Airport at 5:17pm GMT on Tuesday bound for Tripoli. About 16 minutes later, at 5:33pm GMT, the crew alerted air traffic control to an emergency caused by an electrical failure.

Air traffic controllers instructed the jet to return toward Esenboga Airport, but the aircraft disappeared from radar at 5:36pm GMT while descending, losing contact entirely.

Turkish and Libyan authorities confirmed that all eight people on board were killed in the crash, including three crew members. Among the victims was Libya’s army chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, along with four members of his entourage.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the aircraft had requested an emergency landing while flying over Ankara’s Haymana district. The wreckage was later located near the village of Kesikkavak, where search and rescue teams were swiftly deployed.

Duran said investigations are under way involving all relevant authorities to determine the exact cause of the crash. Libyan officials added that the jet, which was leased and registered in Malta, will have its ownership records and technical history examined as part of the inquiry.

The crash has drawn renewed attention to aviation safety, particularly for military and official flights, amid growing scrutiny of aircraft maintenance and operational standards.