Türkiye recovers flight recorders after fatal plane crash near Ankara

Turkish authorities have successfully recovered the critical flight recorders from the wreckage of the Libyan Falcon 50 jet that crashed near Ankara, killing Libya's Army Chief of Staff Mohammed al-Haddad and several other senior officials. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that the devices were found early Wednesday morning and their analysis has commenced.

Recovery operation and crash site details

Yerlikaya detailed that the cockpit voice recorder was retrieved at 2:45 AM local time, followed by the flight data recorder, commonly known as the black box, at 3:20 AM. The wreckage is spread over an area of approximately three square kilometers near the village of Kesikkavak in Ankara's Haymana district. A large-scale operation involving over 400 personnel and more than 100 vehicles continues at the site.

Libyan delegation arrival and coordination

A 22-member Libyan delegation, which includes family members of the victims and defense and interior ministry officials, has arrived in the Turkish capital. Their arrival facilitates close cooperation in the investigation and victim identification process. Yerlikaya expressed condolences to Libya and the families, calling the event a "tragic accident," and stated that authorities will share the investigation findings publicly once they are available.

Context of the fatal flight and mourning

The business jet had departed from Ankara's Esenboga Airport bound for Tripoli before crashing. In response to the incident, which claimed the lives of top military figures, Libya's Government of National Unity has declared an official three-day period of national mourning.