A Turkish Air Force Lockheed C-130E Hercules military transport aircraft crashed in Georgia's Sighnaghi municipality, near the Azerbaijani border, on November 11, 2025. The aircraft, call sign TUAF543, departed from Ganja Airport in Azerbaijan and was en route to Turkey when it disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff. Video footage captured the aircraft disintegrating in mid-air, with the plane breaking apart before impact, accompanied by an explosion and thick smoke.

The Turkish Ministry of Defense confirmed the incident:

"A C-130 military transport aircraft of our Air Force, returning to Turkey from Azerbaijan, crashed in Georgia. Search and rescue operations have been launched in coordination with Georgian authorities."

There were up to 20 people on board, including the crew; President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his grief and hoped for minimal losses. Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev offered his condolences, and Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov announced the deaths of servicemen.

The cause of the crash is under investigation; preliminary reports indicate a structural failure in flight. The aircraft was involved in logistics following recent exercises. This is the first loss of a C-130 for Turkey in a decade; the fleet consists of 18 such aircraft, with replacements planned for C-130Js from the UK. The search operation is ongoing jointly with Tbilisi and Baku, and the site has been cordoned off.