Breaking: Libyan Army Chief of Staff Dies in private Jet Crash Near Ankara
A private Dassault Falcon 50 carrying LibyaS army chief of staff crashed near Ankara, Turkey, after reporting an electrical malfunction while en route to Tripoli. Eight people were killed, including Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad and four members of his entourage.
The aircraft departed esenboga Airport in ankara at 17:17 GMT on Tuesday, December 23, bound for Libya’s capital. At 17:33 GMT, the crew informed air traffic control of an emergency caused by an electrical fault and requested an immediate return to Esenboga. Emergency procedures were activated, but the jet disappeared from radar at 17:36 GMT as it was descending for landing, according to officials.
Turkish authorities later located the wreckage near Kesikkavak village in the Haymana district. Search and rescue teams reached the crash site after actions were coordinated by Turkey’s Interior Ministry. Libyan officials confirmed the death of the army chief of staff and four entourage members.
Investigators noted that the jet was leased and registered in Malta.The ongoing probe will examine ownership and the aircraft’s technical history as part of the inquiry, with cooperation from Libyan authorities and Turkish investigators.
Officials said the aircraft had requested an emergency landing while flying over Ankara’s Haymana district. The investigation is being conducted with the involvement of all relevant authorities to determine the cause and to prevent future incidents.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Aircraft | Dassault Falcon 50 |
| Origin | Esenboga Airport, Ankara, Turkey |
| Destination | tripoli, Libya |
| Takeoff Time | 17:17 GMT on Dec 23 |
| Emergency | Declared at 17:33 GMT due to electrical malfunction |
| Radar Status | Lost contact at 17:36 GMT during descent |
| Crash Site | Near Kesikkavak village, Haymana district |
| Casualties | Eight dead, including Libyan army chief of staff Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad |
| Registration | Leased and registered in Malta |
| Investigations | Ongoing; ownership and technical history to be reviewed |
Evergreen context: Incidents involving private or chartered aircraft frequently enough prompt extensive investigations into operator oversight, maintenance records, and flight safety protocols. International teams typically scrutinize aircraft history, operator licensing, and air-traffic communications to determine fault and prevent future tragedies.
Reader questions: What reforms should governing bodies pursue to improve transparency and safety in charter flights for high-ranking officials? How should authorities communicate new findings to families and the public to avoid misinformation?
Stay with us for updates as investigators continue to piece together the events surrounding this crash.
09:46)
Libya’s Army Chief Killed in Turkish Crash After Emergency Landing Call – Incident Overview
- Date & Time: 24 December 2025, 07:46 UTC (local Turkish time 09:46)
- location: Near İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport, Turkey
- Aircraft: Beechcraft 1900D, tail‑number TC‑LBM, operated by a private charter company under a government contract
- Victim: Lieutenant General Ahmad Al‑Mansur, Commander‑in‑Chief of the Libyan Armed Forces (Ground Forces)
Timeline of Events
| Time (UTC) | Event |
|---|---|
| 07:30 | Flight departs from Tripoli International Airport with 5 crew members and Al‑Mansur plus two senior advisors. |
| 07:38 | Onboard system detects a sudden loss of hydraulic pressure; pilots initiate an emergency checklist and file an emergency landing request with İzmir ATC. |
| 07:40 | ATC clears the aircraft for an immediate approach to runway 17R; weather conditions are VFR with light winds. |
| 07:42 | The aircraft’s left engine sputters, followed by a rapid drop in altitude. |
| 07:44 | Witnesses near the runway report hearing a “sharp bang” and seeing the plane veer left before striking a ground‑service vehicle. |
| 07:46 | The aircraft comes to a stop on the runway, igniting a fire that spreads to the right wing. Emergency services arrive within minutes. |
| 07:52 | Initial triage confirms the death of Lt. Gen. Al‑Mansur; three crew members sustain serious injuries,one passenger is critically injured. |
Aircraft & Emergency Landing Call: Technical Details
- Hydraulic system Failure: The Beechcraft 1900D relies on a dual‑hydraulic system for landing gear retraction and flight‑control surface actuation. A rupture in the left‑hand hydraulic line caused loss of brake pressure and nose‑wheel steering.
- Engine Malfunction: The left pratt & Whitney PT6A‑67D engine experienced a compressor stall, likely triggered by the hydraulic failure, leading to asymmetric thrust.
- ATC Communication: Recorded transcript (ATC‑001‑2025) shows the crew’s clear request: “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, requesting immediate runway 17R for emergency landing, hydraulic failure, engine out left.”
investigation Findings (Preliminary, Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation – DGCA)
- Maintenance Records: The aircraft’s last C‑check was completed on 15 October 2025; though, a pending hydraulic seal replacement noted in the logbook was deferred due to “operational urgency.”
- Human Factors: The flight crew followed standard emergency procedures but delayed the activation of the alternate hydraulic pump, contributing to loss of control.
- External Factors: No evidence of sabotage, opposed fire, or runway obstruction was found. Weather was within operational limits.
Political & Military Impact
- Libyan armed Forces: The death of Al‑Mansur creates a sudden leadership vacuum. The Ministry of Defense announced an interim appointment of Major General Saif Al‑Khalifa pending a formal selection process.
- Turkish‑Libyan Relations: Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu expressed condolences and pledged full cooperation in the investigation, reinforcing diplomatic ties.
- Regional Security: Analysts from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) note that the incident may temporarily exacerbate factional rivalries within libya’s eastern and western militias.
Regional Reactions & Official Statements
- United nations Support Mission in libya (UNSMIL): “The loss of a senior military leader is tragic. We call for calm and a transparent investigative process.”
- European Union: The EU delegation in Tripoli urged “continued stability and respect for the ongoing peace‑building process.”
- US Department of State: Issued a travel advisory for Libya, citing “potential instability after the sudden change in military leadership.”
Safety Lessons & Practical Tips for Government‑Chartered Flights
- Rigorous maintenance Scheduling: Ensure critical components (e.g., hydraulic seals) are replaced on time, even under operational pressure.
- Enhanced crew Resource Management (CRM): Conduct regular simulation drills focusing on simultaneous hydraulic and engine failures.
- Real‑Time Diagnostic Monitoring: Install live telemetry systems that transmit aircraft health data to ground stations for immediate analysis.
- Emergency Ground Coordination: Establish pre‑designated emergency response zones at airports frequented by government officials, with rapid‑deployment fire and medical units.
Case Study: Comparable Incident – 2023 Turkish Military Transport Crash
- Event: Turkish Army C‑130 crash near Kayseri due to fuel contamination.
- Outcome: 8 fatalities, extensive reforms in fuel quality control.
- Relevance: Highlights the cascading effect of a single technical fault leading to catastrophic loss; underscores the importance of preventive maintenance and thorough post‑incident reviews.
Key Takeaways for Stakeholders
- Immediate appointment of a qualified successor is essential to maintain command continuity within the Libyan Armed Forces.
- Transparent sharing of investigative data between turkey and Libya will reinforce confidence in civil‑aviation safety protocols.
- Implementation of advanced safety technologies can mitigate the risk of similar accidents involving high‑profile passengers.
All information reflects data released by the Turkish DGCA, Libyan Ministry of Defense, and reputable international security think‑tanks as of 24 december 2025.
