Black boxes recovered from Turkish military plane crash in Georgia Details

Investigators have recovered the flight recorders, commonly known as black boxes, from the wreckage of a Turkish Air Force C-130 transport aircraft that crashed in Georgian airspace on November 11. 

Experts say the data from the cockpit voice and flight data recorders will be crucial in determining the cause of the disaster, which killed all 20 people on board, Caliber.Az reports per Turkish media. 

Preliminary findings published by Türkiye Gazetesi indicate that the investigation has so far found no evidence of an explosion or external impact. Officials in Tbilisi have also reported that the crash was likely caused by a technical malfunction.

Before take-off from Ganja Airport in Azerbaijan, the aircraft’s crew underwent standard security checks, which were recorded on video. An initial inspection of the wreckage found no burn marks, holes, or other indications of external damage.

Experts noted that if the C-130 had been struck by a missile or suffered an onboard explosion, clear traces of such an event would have been visible.

According to the preliminary report, two factors may have contributed to the tragedy: long-term corrosion that weakened the airframe, making it vulnerable to pressure changes, and improperly secured cargo that may have caused instability during flight.

Authorities emphasised that claims circulating on social media about a possible attack are unfounded.

“There is no evidence to support these claims,” a source told Türkiye Gazetesi.

Teams from Türkiye and Georgia continue to work at the crash site, collecting debris for examination. The recovered parts will be transported to a military base in Kayseri, Türkiye, for detailed analysis as part of the ongoing investigation.

The crash occurred on November 11, when a Turkish Air Force C-130 transport aircraft en route from Azerbaijan to Türkiye went down in Georgia. The plane had spent about two hours at Ganja Airport prior to departure. 

By Sabina Mammadli