No explosives found in Turkish C-130 crash that killed 20 near Georgia-Azerbaijan border

Preliminary results of the investigation into a C-130 military transport aircraft that crashed near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border last fall show no traces of explosives, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said Thursday. The Turkish C-130 military cargo aircraft crashed on Nov. 11, 2025 on its way home from Azerbaijan. According to the ministry, the aircraft was carrying 20 people, including the flight crew.

Forensic findings

Speaking at a weekly press briefing aboard the TCG Anadolu during the Blue Homeland-2026 exercise, ministry spokesperson Adm. Zeki Akturk said forensic examinations found no explosive residue inside or outside the wreckage. The ministry said technical investigations led by the Air Force Command have been continuing at both the crash site in Georgia and maintenance facilities in Türkiye, with multiple military units and defense industry partners involved.

Flight data analysis

According to initial findings, analysis of the flight data recorder showed no irregularities in crew communications or aircraft systems until the moment of the crash, indicating the incident occurred suddenly. The recording stopped after the aircraft's tail cone separated from the fuselage, severing power and data connections and leaving no further data to clarify the cause. Detailed examinations of the engines and propellers confirmed they were operating normally until the crash.

Potential cause

Akturk rejected media reports suggesting a nitrogen cylinder caused the crash, stating that onboard fire extinguishing cylinders were found intact and showed no signs of impact. However, he said a carbon dioxide cylinder may have dislodged from its mounting and struck the aircraft's tail section, potentially causing structural damage that contributed to the crash. Metallurgical and technical analyses of the wreckage are ongoing.

Regional comments

Separately, Akturk welcomed the recently announced two-week ceasefire in the Middle East, expressing hope it would lead to lasting peace. He called for full implementation of the ceasefire and urged parties to use the two-week period for constructive steps toward stability, while also calling on Israel to halt actions that violate Lebanon's sovereignty and condemning incursions into Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque.