A Turkish military cargo plane, a Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules, crashed in eastern Georgia on November 11, 2025, killing all 20 people on board. The aircraft had taken off from Ganja Airport in western Azerbaijan and was returning to Turkey.
Eyewitness footage shows the plane spinning horizontally before breaking apart mid-air.
Debris scattered across the Sighnaghi area, roughly five kilometres from the Georgia-Azerbaijan border.
Georgian authorities confirmed the crash after emergency services reported the incident.
Turkey’s Defence Minister, Yasar Guler, mourned the loss on his X account, posting 20 photographs of the deceased crew members.
He described them as “heroic comrades-in-arms” who were “martyred” in service to their country.
The Georgian air traffic control revealed the plane vanished from radar shortly after entering Georgian airspace.
No distress signals were transmitted, suggesting a sudden and catastrophic event. Search and recovery operations are ongoing at the crash site.
The C-130 Hercules is a military transport plane widely used for troop and cargo movement. It is renowned for its durability and versatility but is not immune to accidents.
The cause of the crash has not yet been released.
Turkish authorities have launched an investigation to determine what went wrong.
This tragic incident adds to global aviation concerns, particularly involving military aircraft operating in border regions.
Experts stress the importance of thorough investigation to prevent future accidents.
Both Turkey and Georgia are coordinating efforts to recover wreckage and human remains.
International aviation authorities are expected to assist in the probe, given the C-130’s US manufacturing origin.
Officials continue to offer condolences to the families of the deceased. Defence Minister Guler stated that Turkey will honour the fallen service members and ensure a comprehensive investigation.
The tragedy has prompted renewed calls for enhanced safety protocols for military flights operating in international airspace, particularly near national borders where terrain and communication challenges exist.