Türkiye has suspended all C-130 military cargo flights after one of its planes crashed in Georgia, killing 20 people on board. The defence ministry announced the precautionary move on Thursday, saying flights would remain halted until detailed inspections and safety checks are complete.
The crash occurred on Tuesday as the aircraft was returning from Azerbaijan. It went down shortly after crossing into Georgia’s eastern Sighnaghi region. Wreckage from the crash was found scattered across a wide area, and all victims’ bodies are being repatriated to Türkiye.
Read more: Türkiye says military plane crash in Georgia killed all 20 onboard
Officials have not yet confirmed the cause of the accident. Eyewitness footage published by Azerbaijani media showed the plane spinning in the air before impact. Investigators have recovered the flight data and cockpit voice recorders, which have been sent to Ankara for analysis.
The C-130 was transporting personnel and aircraft maintenance supplies, the ministry said, adding that there was no ammunition on board. Reports indicated that some victims were F-16 maintenance specialists who had participated in Azerbaijan’s Victory Day parade in Baku just days earlier.
Read more: Turkish Military Plane Crash in Georgia
According to the defence ministry, the C-130 was originally purchased from Saudi Arabia in 2012 and entered Turkish service in 2014 after upgrades. It underwent modernisation in 2022 and had received regular maintenance since then. Authorities vowed to complete the investigation swiftly and resume operations once safety is ensured.