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Turkish authorities announced Wednesday they are deepening their investigation into the crash of a Libyan military aircraft that killed five senior officers, with prosecutors now examining everything from the aircraft's maintenance records to the crew's final hours before takeoff.
The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has assigned five prosecutors to scrutinize all aspects of Tuesday evening's incident, which claimed the life of Libyan Chief of General Staff Gen. Muhammed Ali al-Haddad and four other high-ranking military officials as they departed Türkiye following an official visit.
Investigators have secured the crash site, preserved all wreckage, including the flight data recorder, and seized airport surveillance footage and complete radio communications between the control tower and the doomed aircraft. The probe is examining whether mechanical failure, maintenance errors, or other factors caused the Falcon 50 business jet to go down approximately 75 kilometers (46.6 miles) south of the capital.
One deputy chief prosecutor is coordinating four public prosecutors in the investigation, according to earlier statements from Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc, who said the probe "is being conducted thoroughly and meticulously in all its aspects."
Prosecutors have requested technical expert reports to determine whether the aircraft was airworthy at the time of departure. The investigation is examining the responsibility of personnel who performed the jet's most recent maintenance work and scrutinizing any possible negligence in those procedures.
Authorities are conducting autopsies and toxicology tests on the flight crew to establish definitive causes of death. The investigation extends to the pilots' activities before the flight, including sleep patterns, meals consumed, potential alcohol or medication use, and psychological conditions.
Fuel samples have been collected from both the refueling tanker and the aircraft wreckage to rule out contamination or incorrect fuel type. Technical examinations will also verify whether the spare parts installed during maintenance operations met required standards. Local weather reports from the time of the crash have been requested as part of the comprehensive review.
If investigators determine the crash resulted from a structural defect or design flaw, the scope of responsibility could expand beyond immediate maintenance personnel, according to information obtained about the probe.
The twin-engine jet departed Esenboga Airport at 8:10 p.m. local time on Tuesday bound for Tripoli. Air traffic controllers lost all contact with the aircraft at 8:52 p.m., minutes after receiving an emergency landing notification near Haymana district.
Turkish gendarmerie forces located the wreckage approximately 2 kilometers south of Kesikkavak Village following a coordinated search operation. Ankara airspace was temporarily closed after contact with the aircraft was lost.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed the crash site location, while Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah identified all five victims and declared the incident a national tragedy for Libya's military establishment.
In addition to Haddad, those killed included Chief of Staff of the Ground Forces Maj. Gen. Al-Faituri Ghraibil, Director of the Military Manufacturing Agency Brig. Mahmoud al-Qatiwi, Chief of Staff Advisor Mohamed al-Asawi Diab, and media office photographer Mohamed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub.
"This great loss is a tremendous loss for the homeland, for the military institution, and for all the people, as we have lost men who served their country with sincerity and dedication," Dbeibah said in a statement.
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