JAKARTA - A private jet carrying the Libyan army chief of staff reported a power failure and requested an emergency landing shortly before it crashed near Ankara, Turkey's Presidential Communications Director said on Wednesday.
"The Dassault Falcon 50 jet took off from Esenboga Airport in Ankara at 17.17 GMT on Tuesday heading for Tripoli and at 17.33 GMT informed air traffic controllers of the emergency caused by a power failure," Burhanettin Duran said in a statement, reported Al Arabiya (24/12).
A Turkish official told Al Jazeera that the initial investigation had ruled out sabotage, instead pointing to a technical failure as the cause of the crash.
"Air traffic controllers directed the plane back to Esenboga Airport and emergency measures were initiated, but the jet disappeared from radar at 17:36 GMT as it descended to land and contact was lost," he said.
Eight people, including three crew members, were killed in the crash, according to Libyan and Turkish officials.
Those killed included the Libyan military commander General Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, as quoted by Anadolu.
The other four officers killed in the crash were General Al-Fitouri Gharibil, head of the Libyan ground forces; Brigadier General Mahmoud Al-Qatawi, who heads the Military Manufacturing Authority; Muhammad Al-Asawi Diab, chief of staff advisor; and Muhammad Omar Ahmed Mahjoub, military photographer in the chief of staff's office.
Initially, the Libyan delegation was in Ankara for high-level defense talks aimed at increasing military cooperation between the two countries, according to Turkish officials.
Turkish Minister of the Interior Ali Yerlikaya earlier said the plane requested an emergency landing while flying over the Haymana district of Ankara, adding that the plane's debris was later found near the Kesikkavak village in the area.
"The search and rescue team reached the accident site after the operation was launched by the Turkish Ministry of the Interior and the investigation into the cause of the accident continues with the involvement of all relevant authorities," Duran said.
Libyan officials said the jet was leased and registered in Malta, adding that its ownership and technical history would be examined as part of the investigation.
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