A Turkish military helicopter crashed in the southern province of Malatya on Thursday, November 12, 2026, leading to the deaths of four personnel. The aircraft, identified as an S-70 model, went down in the Samankoy neighbourhood on the outskirts of the provincial capital in the evening.
The Turkish Ministry of National Defence confirmed the fatalities in a social media statement, noting that the cause of the accident had not yet been determined. According to the ministry, the incident occurred at approximately 18:45 local time. While the ministry referred to the victims as "heroic comrades-in-arms," they did not release the identities of the deceased. In their statement, officials offered condolences to the families of the victims and the Turkish Armed Forces.
Television footage from the crash site displayed the burning wreckage of the helicopter situated in an open area near a cluster of buildings. The Demiroren News Agency reported that the fire from the crash had spread to a nearby house, though there were no reports of casualties among civilians on the ground. Authorities, including police, medical teams, and firefighters, were immediately dispatched to the scene to conduct rescue and containment operations.
The Turkish Air Force maintains a significant military presence in the region, operating the 7th Main Jet Base to the north of Malatya. The S-70 Sikorsky helicopter is a widely used transport aircraft, with variants like the Black Hawk capable of carrying up to 11 soldiers alongside its aircrew. The ministry has confirmed that rescue teams reached the wreckage shortly after the incident was reported.
Key facts
- The crash involved an S-70 military helicopter near Malatya, Turkey.
- All four personnel on board were killed in the incident.
- The accident took place on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at approximately 18:45 local time.
- Local reports indicated that the resulting fire spread to a nearby residential structure.
- The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Turkish Defence Ministry.
Background
The Sikorsky S-70 is a transport helicopter commonly utilised by various militaries globally, including the Turkish Armed Forces, for a range of operational duties.
Source: The Hindu, Hindustan Times
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