On November 11, 2025, a Turkish Air Force C-130 cargo aircraft crashed near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border after taking off from Azerbaijan. The aircraft, suspected to be the #TUAF543, disappeared from radar shortly after entering Georgian airspace, without transmitting a distress signal.
The Turkish Ministry of National Defense confirmed the crash, stating:
"A C-130 military cargo plane departing from Azerbaijan to Turkey crashed on the Georgia-Azerbaijan border. Search and rescue efforts have been initiated in coordination with Azerbaijani and Georgian authorities."
There were 20 people on board. Georgian officials reported that the aircraft vanished from radar minutes after crossing into Georgian airspace.
Social media videos suggest the aircraft broke apart mid-air before impact. The footage shows the fuselage disintegrating, with the forward section falling separately, and the wingbox spinning before exploding. The tail section appears missing.
This incident involves a Turkish military cargo plane suspected to have crashed near Georgia's border, with rescue efforts underway and evidence indicating severe in-flight damage.
Author's note: The crash highlights the dangers faced by military aircraft in transition zones, with ongoing investigations into the incident's causes.