A Turkish Air Force C-130E Hercules military cargo plane crashed near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border on November 11, 2025, shortly after departing from Ganja International Airport in Azerbaijan, prompting an immediate joint search and rescue operation coordinated by Turkish, Azerbaijani, and Georgian authorities. The aircraft, operating under callsign TUAF543, lost radar contact around 10:19 UTC while en route to Turkey, with preliminary reports suggesting a mid-air breakup or structural failure in the Rustavi region of eastern Georgia. The Turkish Ministry of National Defence confirmed the incident on X, stating, "One of our C-130 military cargo planes, which took off from Azerbaijan to come to our country, crashed on the Georgia–Azerbaijan border. Search and rescue operations begin in coordination with Azerbaijani and Georgian authorities." No official details on the number of crew or passengers aboard have been released, but the C-130 typically carries 4-6 flight personnel for such missions.

Video footage circulating on social media, verified by outlets like Aerotime and Türkiye Today, shows the plane spiralling uncontrollably before plummeting to the ground in a remote, hilly area, engulfed in smoke upon impact. The crash site, approximately 50 km from Tbilisi and near the Azerbaijani border, complicates access due to rugged terrain, but emergency teams, including helicopters and ground units, have mobilised. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev extended condolences to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, expressing deep sorrow over the "tragic loss of servicemen". Erdoğan, in a brief statement, affirmed ongoing coordinated efforts, noting, "We are continuing our work in a coordinated manner." Fatalities remain unconfirmed pending recovery operations.

The C-130, a veteran four-engine turboprop transport first introduced in the 1950s, was on a routine cargo flight amid Turkey's close military ties with Azerbaijan, including joint exercises and arms deals. Recent reports indicate Turkey acquired 12 second-hand C-130Js from the UK to modernise its fleet, though this incident involved an older E-model. The cause is under investigation, with initial speculation pointing to mechanical failure or weather factors, though no adverse conditions were reported in the region. This marks a rare aviation mishap for the Turkish Air Force in the Caucasus, an area of heightened geopolitical activity following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

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As rescue efforts intensify, NATO ally Turkey has activated its crisis response protocols, with teams from Ankara en route. Georgian emergency services, alongside Azerbaijani support, are scouring the site for debris and survivors. The incident underscores the risks of military logistics in volatile border zones, where Turkey plays a pivotal role in regional security. Updates are expected as recovery progresses, with international condolences pouring in from allies.

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