Summary: Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense has confirmed that a C-130 military transport aircraft crashed near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border shortly after taking off from Azerbaijan. Video footage shows the plane breaking apart mid-air before impact. Search and rescue operations are underway, with no immediate details on casualties released.
✈️ Incident Confirmation
The crash was confirmed by Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense, which reported that the aircraft went down shortly after departure from Azerbaijan. Eyewitness video captured the plane disintegrating mid-air before striking the ground.
🚑 Emergency Response
Search and rescue teams from Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia have been deployed to the site. Authorities are working to secure the area and provide assistance, though official casualty figures have not yet been disclosed.
⚖️ Investigation
An inquiry has been launched to determine the cause of the accident. Aviation experts note that while the C-130 Hercules is widely regarded as reliable, investigators will examine possible mechanical failure, structural issues, or external factors.
🌍 Regional Context
The crash underscores the risks associated with military aviation in a region marked by heightened geopolitical sensitivities. Turkey maintains close defense ties with Azerbaijan, and the incident is expected to draw international attention into the safety, air worthiness and security of the model given the strategic role of the C-130 fleet in NATO operations.
Turkish Air Force Hercules C-130 Picture by Peter Bakema
