Ankara, Turkey — A Turkish military helicopter crashed during a training flight in Ankara on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, but no injuries were reported, according to the Ministry of National Defense.
The CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopter, operated by the Turkish Army Aviation Command, went down in the Temelli district of Ankara although conducting a routine training mission. The aircraft, part of Turkey’s fleet of Chinook helicopters acquired between 2016 and 2019, experienced an unspecified issue leading to the crash.
Officials confirmed that all personnel aboard the helicopter were unharmed. “Our personnel are in good condition with no adverse conditions reported,” the Ministry stated in an official release.
The Ministry emphasized that the cause of the incident remains under investigation. “The exact cause of the crash will be determined following a detailed technical investigation,” the statement read. Expert teams have been dispatched to the site to analyze the wreckage and determine whether mechanical failure or environmental factors contributed to the accident.
Turkey operates a fleet of 11 CH-47F Chinook helicopters, acquired through contracts with the Defense Industry Agency in 2011 and 2015. These aircraft are used for both military operations and humanitarian missions, capable of transporting heavy equipment, troops, fuel, and supplies over long distances.
The incident adds to ongoing scrutiny of military aviation safety, though officials stressed that no lives were lost in this event. Further details will be released as the investigation progresses.
