According to a statement by the Director of Communications of Libya’s Government, the aircraft suffered an electrical failure. The senior leadership of Libya’s armed forces had been in Ankara for a same-day official visit and was returning to Tripoli when the crash occurred.

Electrical Failure After Takeoff

The private jet transporting Libya’s Chief of the General Staff, General Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, experienced an electrical malfunction and crashed in Turkey on December 23, 2025, resulting in the deaths of all passengers.

According to the Libyan government’s statement, the aircraft departed from Ankara Esenboğa Airport at 8:17 p.m., carrying General Al-Haddad, four members of his escort, and three crew members.

At 8:33 p.m., the aircraft reported an electrical failure and issued an SOS, requesting an emergency landing. Air traffic control instructed the pilot to return to Esenboğa Airport, and preparations for an emergency landing began. However, during descent, the aircraft disappeared from radar at 8:36 p.m., and all communication was lost.

Search and rescue teams later located the wreckage, and all relevant authorities proceeded with recovery operations with extreme caution.

All Passengers Confirmed Dead

Among those killed in the crash were:

• General Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, Chief of the Libyan General Staff
• Lieutenant General Al-Fitouri Gab’eel, Chief of the Army General Staff
• Brigadier General Mahmoud Al-Qutawi, Director of the Military Equipment Production Authority
• Professor Mohammed Al-Asawi Diab, advisor to the Chief of the Armed Forces
• Mohammed Omar Ahmed Mahjoubi, press office photographer

The Libyan armed forces leadership was returning to Tripoli following meetings in Ankara earlier that day with Turkey’s Chief of the General Staff, General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, and Defense Minister Yaşar Güler.

The Tripoli-based government officially confirmed the deaths of General Al-Haddad and all other passengers on board.

Wreckage Found South of Ankara

Turkish authorities reported that the aircraft wreckage was found on a hillside approximately two kilometers from the village of Kesikavak, in the Haymana district, south of Ankara. A fire broke out following the impact.

Security camera footage circulating on social media appears to show a bright flash, believed to be linked to the moment the aircraft crashed.