Turkish C-130 Military Transport Crashes in Georgia Near Azerbaijan Border

A Turkish Air Force C-130 Hercules transport plane carrying at least 20 personnel crashed on Tuesday near the Azerbaijan-Georgia border. The aircraft, en route from Azerbaijan to Turkey, disappeared from radar without sending a distress signal before going down in Georgia’s Sighnaghi municipality.

Crash and Initial Response

Video footage from local media showed the plane descending in a corkscrew motion before striking the ground and erupting in flames. Wreckage was found scattered across a grassy hillside, with parts of the fuselage still burning when emergency crews arrived. Georgian authorities reached the site around 5 p.m. local time, launching search and rescue operations supported by Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles.

Turkey’s Defense Ministry confirmed that 20 Turkish military personnel, including the flight crew, were on board. The cause of the crash has not been determined, and investigations are underway under Georgia’s aviation and criminal codes.

Aircraft Background and Role

The C-130 Hercules, manufactured by U.S. company Lockheed Martin, is one of the world’s most widely used military transport aircraft. Known for its versatility and ability to operate from short or unprepared runways, it has been a key tactical airlifter for decades. The C-130 is used to transport troops, cargo, and equipment and can be adapted for medical evacuation, reconnaissance, or assault missions.

Turkey’s C-130 fleet plays a critical role in logistical operations and military cooperation with Azerbaijan. The crash occurred shortly after Turkish leaders attended Azerbaijan’s Victory Day celebrations in Baku, marking the anniversary of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The investigation continues as both Turkish and Georgian teams work at the site to recover remains and determine the cause of the crash.