Full Breakdown
Falcon 50 Jet Crash Claims Lives of Libyan Military Chief and Four Others
12/23/2025, 11:59:46 PM
Incident Overview
A Falcon 50 business jet carrying Libya’s Chief of General Staff, Gen. Muhammad Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, and four others crashed in central Turkey on Tuesday evening, resulting in the deaths of all on board. The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control shortly after takeoff from Ankara’s Esenboga Airport, where it had departed at 8:10 p.m. local time, en route to Tripoli. The last communication occurred at approximately 8:52 p.m., when the jet issued an emergency landing alert near Haymana, a district south of Ankara.
Background of the Flight
Gen. al-Haddad was in Turkey for high-level defense discussions aimed at enhancing military cooperation between Libya and Turkey. His visit included meetings with Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Selçuk Bayraktaroglu and other senior military officials. The Turkish Parliament had recently approved an extension of the troop mandate in Libya for an additional two years, underscoring Turkey's ongoing military support for the Tripoli-based government.
Details of the Crash
The wreckage of the Falcon 50 was discovered near Haymana following the loss of contact. The aircraft, operated by Harmony Jets, was 37 years old and had recently flown from Tripoli to Ankara. Among the deceased were Lt. General Fattouri Gharbil, head of Libya’s land forces, Brigadier General Mahmoud al-Fadhawi, military industrialization service head, counselor Mohammed al-Asawy, and photographer Mohammed al-Mahjoub. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that search and rescue operations were initiated after reports of a loud noise in the vicinity of Haymana.
Official Statements
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah expressed his condolences, describing the incident as a "tragic accident" and a "great loss" for Libya. He confirmed the deaths of Gen. al-Haddad and the other passengers. Turkish officials have not yet confirmed the fatalities but acknowledged the discovery of the wreckage and stated that an investigation is underway, with four prosecutors assigned to the case.
Criticism & Opposition
While the cause of the crash remains under investigation, some sources suggest that a technical malfunction may have led to the loss of contact. Eyewitness accounts reported seeing an explosion in the night sky over Haymana, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
There are discrepancies regarding the timeline of events, with some reports indicating that contact was lost approximately 40 minutes after takeoff, while others suggest a different timeframe. Additionally, the exact nature of the loud noise reported near Haymana has not been clarified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “ He called it a “great loss” for Libya.” — Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah, Libyan Prime Minister
- “The plane issued an emergency landing signal near Haymana, a district south of Ankara, before all communication ceased, Yerlikaya said.” — Ali Yerlikaya, Turkish Interior Minister
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and further details are expected as authorities continue their efforts to understand the circumstances leading to this incident.
