Executive Jet Crashes at Istanbul Ataturk International Airport

An executive jet was destroyed in an accident during an attempted landing at Istanbul-Atatürk International Airport in Turkey.

The aircraft involved in the accident is a Cessna 650 Citation VII with serial number 650-7084 and registered as TC-KON.

The aircraft departed Atatürk Airport about 21:05 local time, bound for Ercan, the primary civilian airport of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Shortly after takeoff, a situation developed which forced the flight to return to the departure airport.

Preliminary reports indicate that the private jet went off the runway while attempting to land on runway 35L. Photos taken at the scene show the plane finally came to a halt near a ditch, where a post-impact fire erupted. The nose of the plane is shown buckled with the cabin burned black and covered in fire-retardant foam.

Two runways have now been closed at Ataturk International Airport but traffic is continuing according to Turkish Airlines, the biggest operator at the airport.

According to online sources, the jet is operated by Istanbul-based private jet charter company Avione Jet.