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== Accident == |
== Accident == |
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The aircraft took off from [[Ganja International Airport]] in Azerbaijan at 10:19 UTC with data suggesting it reached a maximum altitude of 7315 m (24,000 ft), The last known recorded speed from the aircraft was 302 kts (Knots) as it’s true airspeed.<ref name=”:0″>{{Cite web |last=Gustafsson |first=Daniel |date=2025-11-11 |title=Turkish Military Aircraft TUAF543 Crashes in Georgia, November 11th 2025 |url=https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/flight-tracking-news/major-incident/turkish-military-aircraft-tuaf543-crashes-in-georgia-november-11th-2025/ |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=[[Flightradar24]] |language=en-US}}</ref> The aircraft was on a flight from [[Azerbaijan]] to [[Turkey]] when it broke up in mid-air over Georgia<ref name=”:3″ /> and crashed near [[Signagi]]. The aircraft vanished from radars minutes after crossing into Georgia, without issuing a distress signal.<ref name=”:1″>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-11 |title=Turkish military cargo plane crashes with at least 20 on board near Georgia and Azerbaijan border |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2dryrz8823o |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=BBC News |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-11 |title=Large explosion as Nato military plane crashes in Georgia |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/nato-plane-crash-georgia-turkey-deaths-latest-b2863016.html |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> A video showed the aircraft broken up, spiraling and leaking fuel before impacting the ground.<ref name=”TOI”>{{Cite news |date=November 11, 2025 |title=Turkish military plane with 20 aboard catches fire mid-air, crashes in Georgia – watch |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/turkish-military-plane-with-20-aboard-catches-fire-mid-air-crashes-in-georgia-watch/articleshow/125251913.cms |access-date=November 11, 2025 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The Turkish government said all 20 people on board were killed.<ref name=”:4″>{{Cite news |date=November 11, 2025 |title=Twenty killed in Turkish military plane crash in Georgia after leaving Azerbaijan |url=https://www.euronews.com/2025/11/11/turkish-military-c-130-cargo-plane-crashes-in-georgia-after-taking-off-from-azerbaijan |access-date=November 11, 2025 |work=[[Euronews]]}}</ref> |
The aircraft took off from [[Ganja International Airport]] in Azerbaijan at 10:19 UTC with data suggesting it reached a maximum altitude of 7315 m (24,000 ft), The last known recorded speed from the aircraft was 302 kts (Knots) as it’s true airspeed.<ref name=”:0″>{{Cite web |last=Gustafsson |first=Daniel |date=2025-11-11 |title=Turkish Military Aircraft TUAF543 Crashes in Georgia, November 11th 2025 |url=https://www.flightradar24.com/blog/flight-tracking-news/major-incident/turkish-military-aircraft-tuaf543-crashes-in-georgia-november-11th-2025/ |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=[[Flightradar24]] |language=en-US}}</ref> The aircraft was on a flight from [[Azerbaijan]] to [[Turkey]] when it broke up in mid-air over Georgia<ref name=”:3″ /> and crashed near [[Signagi]]. The aircraft vanished from radars minutes after crossing into Georgia, without issuing a distress signal.<ref name=”:1″>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-11 |title=Turkish military cargo plane crashes with at least 20 on board near Georgia and Azerbaijan border |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2dryrz8823o |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=BBC News |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-11 |title=Large explosion as Nato military plane crashes in Georgia |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/nato-plane-crash-georgia-turkey-deaths-latest-b2863016.html |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> A video showed the aircraft broken up, spiraling and leaking fuel before impacting the ground.<ref name=”TOI”>{{Cite news |date=November 11, 2025 |title=Turkish military plane with 20 aboard catches fire mid-air, crashes in Georgia – watch |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/turkish-military-plane-with-20-aboard-catches-fire-mid-air-crashes-in-georgia-watch/articleshow/125251913.cms |access-date=November 11, 2025 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The Turkish government said all 20 people on board were killed.<ref name=”:4″>{{Cite news |date=November 11, 2025 |title=Twenty killed in Turkish military plane crash in Georgia after leaving Azerbaijan |url=https://www.euronews.com/2025/11/11/turkish-military-c-130-cargo-plane-crashes-in-georgia-after-taking-off-from-azerbaijan |access-date=November 11, 2025 |work=[[Euronews]]}}</ref> |
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Following the crash, a coordinated search and rescue effort was launched by Georgian and Azerbaijani authorities.<ref name=”:4″ /> Georgian authorities arrived at the scene of the crash at approximately 5:00{{Spaces}}p.m., and the Turkish military sent an [[unmanned aerial vehicle]] in support of the rescue efforts.<ref name=”:2″ /> |
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==Investigation== |
==Investigation== |
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Revision as of 08:19, 12 November 2025
Aircraft accident in Georgia
68-1609, the aircraft involved, pictured in 2023 |
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| Date | November 11, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Summary | Crashed after an in-flight breakup; under investigation |
| Site | Near Rustavi, Sighnaghi Municipality, Kakheti, Georgia 41°25′00″N 45°45′06″E / 41.41667°N 45.75167°E |
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| Aircraft type | Lockheed C-130EM Hercules |
| Operator | Turkish Air Force |
| ICAO flight No. | HVK543 |
| Call sign | TURKISH AIR FORCE 543 |
| Registration | 68-1609 |
| Flight origin | Ganja International Airport, Ganja, Azerbaijan |
| Destination | Erkilet International Airport, Kayseri, Turkey |
| Occupants | 20 |
| Fatalities | 20 |
| Survivors | 0 |
On 11 November 2025, a Turkish Air Force Lockheed C-130EM Hercules flying from Ganja International Airport, Ganja, Azerbaijan, to Erkilet International Airport, Kayseri, Turkey, crashed near the Azerbaijan–Georgia border, killing all 20 occupants on board.[1]
Background
Aircraft
The aircraft involved was a 57-year-old Lockheed C-130EM Hercules designated 68–1609, with manufacturer serial number 382-4311. Built in 1968, it was originally delivered to the Royal Saudi Air Force. It entered service with the Turkish Air Force in March 2010 and was in regular service prior to the accident.[2] The C-130B/E Hercules is widely used by Turkey for military and humanitarian transport.[3]
Passengers and crew
The aircraft carried at least 20 occupants, including an unspecified number of crew members.[4] Local media reported that both Turkish and Azerbaijani military personnel were aboard.[5] The Turkish Ministry of Defense said that 20 of its soldiers were on board, without mentioning occupants of other nationalities.[6]
Accident
The aircraft took off from Ganja International Airport in Azerbaijan at 10:19 UTC with data suggesting it reached a maximum altitude of 7315 m (24,000 ft), The last known recorded speed from the aircraft was 302 kts (Knots) as it’s true airspeed.[2] The aircraft was on a flight from Azerbaijan to Turkey when it broke up in mid-air over Georgia[5] and crashed near Signagi. The aircraft vanished from radars minutes after crossing into Georgia, without issuing a distress signal.[4][7] A video showed the aircraft broken up, spiraling and leaking fuel before impacting the ground.[3] The Turkish government said all 20 people on board were killed.[8]
Investigation
An investigation was started under the article “Violation of flight safety regulations or rules for the operation of an air vehicle resulting in human casualties”. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will provide detailed information about the incident to the public in stages.[9]
Aftermath
Immediately after the crash, a coordinated search and rescue effort was launched by Georgian and Azerbaijani authorities.[8] Georgian authorities arrived at the scene of the crash at approximately 5:00 p.m., and the Turkish military sent an unmanned aerial vehicle in support of the rescue efforts.[1]
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev expressed his condolences for the victims involved with Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkiye, expressing his support to the families of the victims, saying that his country “stands in solidarity with our Turkish allies”.[10]
See also
References
External links
