Turkish media reports confirmed a serious air accident on Tuesday evening involving a Falcon 50 aircraft carrying the Chief of Staff of the Libyan Presidential Council, Lieutenant General Mohammed Ali al-Haddad, which Turkish authorities reported crashed near the Himana district of Ankara.

Radar Contact Lost After Takeoff

Turkey’s Ministry of Interior announced that radar contact with the aircraft was lost shortly after it departed from Esenboğa International Airport. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that the jet was carrying five people, including the Libyan Chief of Staff, as cited by Turkish reports.

The aircraft took off at 8:10 PM local time, and communication was lost at approximately 8:52 PM, after the crew reportedly notified authorities of an emergency landing attempt near Haymana. No further contact was established afterward.

Official Visit Prior to the Incident

Earlier that same day, Lieutenant General Al-Haddad had held an official meeting in Ankara with Turkish Minister of Defense Yaşar Güler, attended by Chief of the Turkish General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu and Land Forces Commander General Metin Tokel.

The discussions focused on strengthening military and security cooperation between Libya and Turkey, as well as addressing key regional security issues of mutual concern.

Emergency Measures and Airspace Closure

Following the loss of radar contact, Turkish authorities temporarily closed Ankara’s airspace and placed search and rescue teams along with security forces on high alert.

Turkish journalist Emre Aytkin reported that the aircraft had climbed to an altitude of 32,400 feet before disappearing from radar screens while traveling at a high speed.

Ongoing Search and Investigation

Turkish authorities are continuing a wide-ranging search and investigation to determine the full extent and circumstances of the case. Officials confirmed that any new developments will be announced as soon as the available information is verified.