A heavy-lift Boeing CH-47F Chinook operated by Turkey’s Army Aviation Command crashed during a training flight in the Temelli area of Ankara in the early hours of Wednesday, April 22, according to a statement from the Turkish Ministry of National Defense.
Reports on casualties remain conflicting. The outlet Turkiye Today stated that no crew members were injured, while CNN Turk reported that five individuals sustained injuries.
In a brief initial statement, the ministry confirmed that the aircraft went down “for reasons not yet known,” adding that the cause of the crash will be determined following a detailed investigation. It also noted that all crew and onboard personnel were reported safe.
Turkey’s fleet of CH-47F Chinook helicopters was procured through the Presidency of Defense Industries via two separate orders placed in 2011 and 2015, totaling 11 aircraft. Deliveries began in 2016 and were completed by 2019. The helicopters are used by both the Turkish Land Forces Command and the General Staff’s Special Aviation Regiment.
In Turkish service, the Chinook performs a wide range of missions, including combat operations, troop transport, and the movement of heavy equipment such as weapons, ammunition, fuel, and supplies. It is also deployed in civilian and humanitarian relief operations, underscoring its versatility as a heavy-lift platform.
The Defense Ministry said a formal investigation is now underway to establish the circumstances of the incident. No additional details were provided regarding the mission profile, the number of personnel onboard, or the specific phase of flight during which the crash occurred.
