Germany’s BFU confirms Turkey’s request to analyse black boxes from the crash that killed Libya’s General Mohammed al-Haddad near Ankara.
BERLIN: Germany has confirmed receiving a request from Turkey to assist in examining the black box recorders from a plane crash that killed the head of the Libyan armed forces.
The Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) stated it had “received a request asking whether the BFU could assist in reading the recorders”.
General Mohammed al-Haddad and four of his aides died last week after a visit to Ankara.
Turkish officials said an electrical failure caused their plane to crash shortly after takeoff, also killing three crew members.
The plane’s black box was found on farmland near the crash site.
Turkish authorities had earlier said the investigation would be conducted by a “neutral country”, possibly Germany.
The BFU said it contacted the Turkish Air Accident Investigation Authority and requested photographs of the recorders to check compatibility.
“Once this has been confirmed, the recorders will be brought to the BFU in Germany and read out,” the agency stated.
“The data obtained will then be sent back to the lead investigating authority in Turkey, where the exclusive analysis of the data will take place.”
The Libyan foreign ministry on Tuesday also said the United Kingdom had been asked to assist in investigations.
Libya has been divided since a NATO-backed revolt toppled and killed longtime leader Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.
Haddad had been the chief of staff for Libya’s internationally recognised Government of National Unity since August 2020.
The east is run by military strongman Khalifa Haftar.
