Official Report Blames Severe Weather for Ghana Helicopter Crash That Killed Two Ministers
Investigators have determined that adverse weather conditions caused the military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Ghana’s defence and environment ministers along with six other individuals earlier this year.
The Z9 military helicopter went down in thick forest during a flight from the capital Accra to the town of Obuasi last August, leaving no survivors from the tragic incident that shocked the nation.
Downdraft Identified as Primary Cause
After conducting a comprehensive two-month investigation, the official inquiry found that the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude and lift due to what aviation experts call a “downdraft”—a powerful downward current of air that can overwhelm aircraft in certain weather conditions.
The investigative report confirmed that the helicopter was mechanically sound and “airworthy” at the time of the accident. However, it highlighted critical recommendations for modernizing the Ghana Air Force fleet, which currently operates without advanced safety and navigational systems that might have prevented the tragedy.
Missing Safety Systems
Captain Paul Forjoe, a retired commercial pilot and aviation engineer who led the investigation panel, revealed that the 13-year-old helicopter lacked a Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS). This crucial safety feature alerts pilots to potential ground collisions and has become standard equipment in modern aircraft worldwide.
The investigation represented a collaborative effort between Ghanaian authorities and US aviation experts, with additional technical support provided by the helicopter’s Chinese manufacturer.
Mission to Combat Illegal Mining
The ill-fated flight was carrying government officials to Obuasi for an important event addressing the nation’s ongoing battle against illegal mining operations—a significant environmental and economic challenge for Ghana.
Among the prominent figures lost in the crash were Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, whose deaths represented a substantial blow to Ghana’s political leadership.
Eyewitness Account
One local farmer who witnessed the crash told investigators the helicopter was flying at an “unusually low altitude” before the accident. He described hearing the distinct sound of the aircraft passing overhead, followed by a “loud sound” and then a devastating “bang.”
The witness recounted that when he reached the crash site, the destruction was so complete that there was “no-one to be rescued”—a haunting testament to the crash’s severity.
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