Turkish C-130 Hercules Breaks Apart Mid-Air Before Crash in Georgia
On 11 November, a Turkish Air Force Lockheed Martin C-130E Hercules crashed in a mountainous area near Sighnaghi municipality, close to the Azerbaijan border in Georgia, after breaking into pieces mid-air. The plane had departed from Ganja International Airport in Azerbaijan and was heading to Turkiye when the accident happened.
Flight Details
- Call sign: TUAF543
- Departure: Ganja International Airport, Azerbaijan at 10:19 UTC
- Cruising altitude: 24,000 ft
- Last ADS-B signal recorded at 10:49:20 UTC
- Aircraft registration: 68-01609
Aircraft History
The aircraft, a C-130E Hercules, was originally delivered to the Saudi Royal Air Force in the late 1960s. It was acquired by Turkiye in 2010 and was 56 years old at the time of the crash.
Crash Incident
Video footage of the crash captured the aircraft descending in pieces. The cockpit and empennage detached from the central wing box, while the wings remained attached to part of the fuselage.
The Defence Ministry of Turkiye confirmed that 20 people, including the flight crew, were on board during the crash.
Subsequent reports confirmed that all 20 individuals on the plane lost their lives.
Location of Wreckage
The remains of the aircraft were discovered in a mountainous area near Sighnaghi, approximately 40 miles from the Azerbaijan border.
Author’s summary: A 56-year-old Turkish C-130 Hercules tragically broke apart mid-air and crashed near the Azerbaijan-Georgia border, killing all 20 on board.