VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Transport Malta has launched an investigation into the fatal crash of a Maltese-registered private jet near Ankara, confirming it is working closely with Turkish authorities to establish the circumstances of the incident that occurred last Tuesday.
The Dassault Falcon 50, registered 9H-DFJ, crashed shortly after take-off from Ankara’s Esenboğan Airport while en route to Tripoli. All eight people on board were killed, including Libya’s army chief of staff General Mohammed Al-Haddad.
Malta’s Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri expressed condolences, describing
General Al-Haddad as a key figure for regional stability and cooperation
with Malta.
No Maltese crew members were on board. The aircraft was operated by Harmony Jets, a Maltese private aviation company based at Malta International Airport.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the aircraft took off at around 8.10pm and contact was lost about 30 minutes later.
Shortly after departure, the pilot reportedly requested an emergency landing before all communications ceased. The wreckage was later located near the village of Kesikkavak in the Haymana district of Ankara.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).