New information has emerged regarding the crash of the Turkish C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft that went down on November 11 in Georgia. According to Milliyet, investigators working at the site have established that the aircraft’s tail section detached first — a key element in reconstructing the final seconds of the flight.
A preliminary inspection of the wreckage revealed no external damage to the fuselage that would suggest an outside impact. Investigators continue to examine the causes of the structural failure and analyze the sequence of events leading up to the crash.
The aircraft’s black box has been transported to Turkey, where experts have already begun decoding its data. The pattern of debris scattered across the crash site is being treated as a crucial tool for creating an accurate “X-ray” of how the disaster unfolded. Once the investigation on Georgian territory is complete, the aircraft fragments will be moved to a base in Turkey’s Kayseri province.
Details about the cargo have also been clarified. The C-130 was providing logistical support for six Turkish F-16 fighter jets that had arrived in Azerbaijan for Victory Day events. On its return flight, it was carrying around six tons of spare parts and equipment. It has been confirmed that no ammunition or explosives were on board.
The Turkish Ministry of National Defense has confirmed the deaths of all 20 servicemen onboard, including personnel from the Kayseri and Merzifon air bases, home to the “Tunç” squadron that operates Turkey’s F-16 fleet.
Technical information about the aircraft has also come to light. The C-130 was purchased from Saudi Arabia in 2010, underwent major overhaul in 2020, and was due for scheduled maintenance in July of next year. Given that transport aircraft of this type undergo servicing every six years, investigators are also examining the possibility of corrosion affecting certain structural components.
