Turkish C-130 Hercules Crashes in Georgia, Multiple Fatalities Confirmed

A Turkish Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft crashed in Georgia on November 11, 2025, near the Azerbaijani border. The incident involved at least 20 individuals, with authorities confirming multiple fatalities. Video footage captured the aircraft spiraling towards the ground after reportedly breaking apart midair. Emergency response teams are currently investigating the cause of this tragic accident.

Shortly after entering Georgian airspace, the C-130 disappeared from radar while en route from Ganja International Airport in Azerbaijan to Erkilet International Airport in Turkey. The aircraft, designated as C-130E, did not issue a distress signal before crashing in the Sighnaghi area of the Kakheti region, approximately three miles from Georgia’s eastern border with Azerbaijan.

The Turkish Defence Ministry confirmed that there were 20 Turkish personnel onboard the aircraft. However, local Azerbaijani media have reported the presence of Azerbaijani personnel as well. Search and rescue operations successfully located the crash site at 17:00 local time on Tuesday, prompting a Turkish investigation team to arrive.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed profound sorrow, stating, “We are deeply saddened to learn that one of our C-130 military aircraft, en route from Azerbaijan to our country, has crashed near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border.”

Details of the Crash

The aircraft was seen in distress, caught in a flat spin after losing significant structural integrity during flight, which resulted in thick black smoke billowing from the wreckage upon impact. Reports indicate that the aircraft lost its forward fuselage and other components during its descent.

According to data from Flightradar24, the C-130 departed Ganja International Airport at 10:19 UTC, entering Georgian airspace shortly thereafter. It maintained a cruising altitude of FL240 until its last ADS-B signal was recorded at 10:49 UTC. The precise circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear, as investigators work to determine the cause.

This incident shares similarities with a previous tragedy involving a US Marine Corps KC-130 crash in 2017, where a blade failure led to catastrophic loss of control and resulted in the deaths of all 16 individuals on board.

Aircraft Background and Operations

The aircraft involved in the accident was a Lockheed C-130E Hercules, registered as 68-1609, with a service history of over 57 years. It had been part of the Turkish Air Force for around 15 years, having been delivered in 2010 and previously serving with the Royal Saudi Air Force. Flightradar24 indicates that the aircraft had been operating regularly in the weeks leading up to the crash, with its last flight from Kayseri to Ganja occurring on the morning of the incident.

Turkey operates a total of 18 C-130 aircraft, including both the C-130B and C-130E models. The crashed aircraft was a C-130E, which had recently undergone modernization, incorporating new avionics and navigation systems. Turkey has been utilizing the C-130 since the 1960s, making it one of the earliest international operators. The nation is currently transitioning to the C-130J Super Hercules, having secured a deal to acquire 12 former Royal Air Force (RAF) airframes.

As authorities continue their investigation, the implications of this crash will likely resonate throughout Turkish military operations and air transport strategies.