Deadly Falcon 50 crash carrying Libya’s top general sparks investigation

• A Falcon 50 jet carrying Libya’s Chief of General Staff Mohammed al-Haddad crashed near Ankara after issuing an emergency call over a technical failure, killing all passengers and crew.
• The aircraft, reported to be 37 years old, has drawn scrutiny over maintenance and safety standards as Turkish authorities launch a formal investigation into the crash.

The crash of a private jet carrying Libya’s Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Haddad, near the Turkish capital Ankara on Tuesday evening has sparked urgent questions about the aircraft’s type, age, and technical condition.

Read more: Libya's top military chief killed in plane crash in Turkey

According to Turkish officials, the Falcon 50 business jet departed Ankara’s Esenboga Airport at around 17:10 GMT en route to Tripoli. Roughly 42 minutes into the flight, the crew issued an emergency notification citing a technical, specifically electrical, failure and requested an emergency landing near the Haymana district, about 74 kilometers south of Ankara. Shortly afterward, contact with the aircraft was lost and it disappeared from radar.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that the wreckage was later located by security forces and that all those on board had died.

Technical Failure Under Investigation

Turkish and Libyan authorities have both pointed to a “technical problem” as the likely cause of the crash. Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said the Ankara chief prosecutor’s office has launched a formal investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.

Several Turkish media outlets broadcast footage showing a bright explosion lighting up the sky near the area where the aircraft last transmitted its distress signal.

Libya’s Minister of State for Communication and Political Affairs, Walid Ellafi, said Tripoli was informed immediately by Turkish authorities after contact with the aircraft was lost, adding that Libya is awaiting the results of the Turkish investigation.

Falcon 50: Proven Design, Advanced Age

The ill-fated aircraft was identified as a Dassault Falcon 50, a French-made, medium-size business jet known for its long range and distinctive three-engine design.

However, analysts have highlighted the aircraft’s advanced operational age. Political researcher Ali Asmar noted that the jet involved in the crash was approximately 37 years old. The Falcon 50 first flew in 1976 and received airworthiness certification in 1979. While the model gained a reputation for reliability and was later upgraded to the Falcon 50EX variant in the mid-1990s, production ended in 2008.

The age of the aircraft has intensified scrutiny over maintenance standards and system reliability, particularly in light of reports of an electrical malfunction prior to the crash.

Victims and Official Reactions

The crash claimed the lives of Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Haddad and seven others, including senior military officials and crew members. Among the victims were Major General Al-Fitouri Ghraibil, Mohammed Al-Assawi, Mohammed Jumaa, and Mohammed Al-Mahjoub, in addition to three crew members.

Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing Haddad as a key national military figure. Haddad had served as chief of general staff since August 2020 and was appointed during the tenure of former prime minister Fayez al-Sarraj.

Earlier on Tuesday, Haddad had held talks in Ankara with Turkish officials before beginning his return trip to Tripoli.

Broader Political Context

The incident comes against the backdrop of Libya’s prolonged political division between the UN-recognized government in Tripoli and a rival administration in the east. Turkey maintains close political and military ties with the Tripoli-based government, while also recently engaging with eastern Libyan leadership.

As investigations continue, the crash has not only left Libya mourning the loss of top military leaders but has also reignited debate over aircraft safety, aging fleets, and accountability in high-level official travel.