On Tuesday evening, airspace over Turkey’s capital, Ankara, was temporarily closed after a business jet carrying Libya’s top military official crashed shortly after takeoff. This incident triggered flight diversions, an emergency security response, and an ongoing investigation in the NATO member country.

The Falcon 50 jet was transporting Libya’s Chief of the General Staff, Muhammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, along with four others. According to Turkish officials, communication with the aircraft was lost about 30 minutes after it departed from Esenboga International Airport. Both Libyan and Turkish authorities have since confirmed the unfortunate death of Al-Haddad.

The decision to close Ankara’s airspace underscored the gravity of the situation, as such measures are typically reserved for scenarios involving unresolved security threats or when the capital’s safety must be ensured while authorities evaluate potential risks.

In a statement, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that the aircraft lost contact at 8:52 p.m. local time after issuing an emergency landing alert near Haymana, situated approximately 75 kilometers south of Ankara. The jet, identified by tail number 9H-DFJ, had departed for Tripoli at 8:10 p.m.

In response to the loss of contact, Turkish authorities promptly closed Ankara’s airspace as a safety measure and redirected several commercial flights away from Esenboga Airport, as reported by Turkish broadcaster NTV and corroborated by flight tracking data from TRT. Search and rescue teams were dispatched to the suspected crash site to conduct their operations.

Following the loss of contact, Turkish authorities closed Ankara’s airspace as a precaution and diverted multiple commercial flights away from Esenboga Airport, according to Turkish broadcaster NTV and flight tracking data cited by TRT. Search and rescue teams were deployed to the suspected crash area.

The crash came just hours after Al-Haddad concluded an official visit to Ankara. Turkey’s Defense Ministry had earlier announced that the Libyan army chief met with Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler, Turkish Chief of General Staff Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, and other senior commanders as part of ongoing military and security coordination between Turkey and Libya, according to TRT.

Falcon 50 sent emergency signal after takeoff from Ankara; search underway near Haymana, Turkey. Photo: Anadolu Agency Video via Reuters. (Anadolu Agency Video via Reuters)

Türkiye Today reported that the visit underscored deepening defense ties between Ankara and Libya’s Tripoli-based government, adding sensitivity to the incident given the seniority of those aboard the aircraft and the timing immediately following high-level meetings.

The prime minister of Libya’s U.N.-recognized Government of National Unity, Abdulhamid Dbeibah, said he had received news of the death of Libya’s army chief of staff after Al-Haddad’s plane lost radio contact above Turkey’s Ankara, Reuters reported.

Dbeibah, who said he was mourning Al-Haddad’s death, added that the army chief had been accompanied by others on board the aircraft, including military officials. No additional details about the other passengers’ identities or conditions were immediately released.

Ankara Airport, Turkey, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo)

Turkish officials have not yet publicly detailed the cause of the crash. No official statements have indicated sabotage or hostile fire, and any conclusions beyond a reported in-flight emergency remain pending verification.

Search and recovery efforts were continuing, and Turkish authorities said further information would be released as it is confirmed.