Misrata Airport Flights Halted After Private Jet Incident

On September 14, 2026, Misrata International Airport experienced a significant disruption when a private jet veered off the runway during landing, resulting in a fire and the suspension of all flights. The incident involved a Cessna Citation Latitude, which was en route from Istanbul Atatürk Airport. While the aircraft sustained damage and the runway was temporarily unusable, the three crew members on board survived the accident. Emergency services quickly responded to control the blaze and ensure the safety of the airport premises before operations could resume.

Aircraft Details and Crew Survival

The private jet involved in the incident was identified as a Cessna Citation Latitude, reportedly registered as TC-AKF. Initial reports suggested a connection to Turkish businessman Hamdi Akın, chairman of Akfen Holding, though his direct ownership was not definitively established. The flight departed Istanbul Atatürk Airport at 05:45 a.m. local time, with the incident occurring at Misrata International Airport around 10:07 a.m. The aircraft carried a crew of three: two pilots and one flight attendant. All three survived the crash, received immediate first aid, and were reported to be in stable condition, with no fatalities among the crew.

Conflicting Accounts of the Incident’s Cause

Official statements from the Libyan Transportation Ministry indicated that the aircraft experienced a technical fault in one of its engines, leading to an emergency landing. Following this malfunction, the jet left the runway and caught fire. However, a source at the airport offered a different perspective, suggesting that pilot error may have been the cause. This source claimed the pilot approached the landing with the wind, rather than against it, which resulted in a hard landing, a burst front tire, and subsequently, the fire. These differing accounts present two potential triggers for the accident: an engine malfunction or a critical error during the landing approach.

Discrepancies Regarding Passengers and Flight Purpose

Further confusion surrounds the exact nature of the flight and its intended cargo. While the Libyan authorities stated the aircraft carried only its three crew members, other reports suggested the jet was traveling to Libya to collect passengers or might have been carrying a prominent individual. One report named Ahmed Zubi Al-Aabous, while another identified the passenger as Mohammed Zubi, described as the brother of Abdul Salam Zubi, the deputy minister of defense in the Dbeibah government. These conflicting passenger accounts stand alongside reports that the aircraft was empty except for its crew, adding to the uncertainty about the flight’s purpose and passenger manifest. The flight was described as a private business trip from Istanbul to Libya.

Airport Operations and Safety Measures

Following the incident, Misrata International Airport immediately halted all flights and closed the airspace in the immediate vicinity to allow emergency crews to manage the situation. Firefighters worked to contain and extinguish the blaze, while technical teams were dispatched to inspect the aircraft and assess the condition of the runway and airfield. The airport’s operations remained disrupted as these safety checks and assessments continued. The priority was to ensure the airport’s safety and structural integrity before any flights could resume.

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