ANKARA, Turkey (AP) – Turkey's Defense Ministry announced on Thursday that it has temporarily grounded its C-130 military cargo planes as a precautionary measure. This decision follows a tragic incident where a C-130 cargo plane crashed in Georgia, resulting in the death of all 20 military personnel on board.
The ill-fated cargo plane was en route from Ganja, Azerbaijan, to Turkey when it crashed in the Sighnaghi municipality of Georgia, near the Azerbaijani border, on Tuesday. An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the crash.
The 20 military personnel on board were part of a specialized unit responsible for the maintenance and repair of Turkish F-16 jets. These jets had been deployed to Azerbaijan to participate in the country's Victory Day celebrations, which commemorate Azerbaijan's military success over Armenia in 2020 for control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. This conflict had lasted for nearly four decades and has significant historical implications for the region.
The Defense Ministry stated that the suspension of C-130 flights will allow for detailed technical inspections of the aircraft. Only those planes that successfully pass the required checks will be permitted to return to service, as emphasized in the ministry's official statement.
C-130 military cargo planes are essential assets for Turkey's armed forces, primarily used for transporting personnel and managing logistical operations. Following the crash, Turkey dispatched an accident investigation team to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident. Additionally, the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder from the crashed aircraft have been sent to Turkey for examination in Ankara.
The aircraft in question was acquired by Turkey from Saudi Arabia in 2012 and was officially added to Turkey’s Air Force inventory in 2014, after undergoing necessary maintenance procedures. It had subsequently undergone modernization and had been operational since 2022. The Defense Ministry noted that its most recent scheduled maintenance was completed on October 12.
Importantly, the ministry confirmed that there was no ammunition on board the aircraft at the time of the crash, which may play a role in the ongoing investigation.
Debris from the aircraft was found scattered across multiple locations following the crash. Recovery efforts culminated on Thursday with the retrieval of the remains of the 20th victim. Funeral services will be coordinated following the return of the remains to Turkey and the completion of autopsies.
This tragic event has raised serious concerns regarding the safety protocols surrounding military aviation in Turkey, prompting a thorough review and inspection of the C-130 fleet. As investigations continue, the Ministry of Defense remains committed to ensuring the safety of its military personnel and the reliability of its aircraft.
As the investigation unfolds, the families of the victims are left in mourning, seeking answers and closure in the wake of this devastating loss.
