August 6 Helicopter Crash: Aircraft Was In Good Condition- Investigative Team

Investigations have confirmed that the Z-9 EH helicopter that was involved in the August 6 crash in Ghana was in good condition for the flight.

Presenting a report of the accident, which claimed eight lives, the Aircraft Accident Investigator, Captain Paul Forjoe, noted that the aircraft was declared serviceable and duly signed off by both the engineers and the captain before the flight.

“Flight data report indicates that the helicopter was in good condition.”

The probe, however, found that it lacked some safety enhancements, which include a Terrain awareness system also known as an enhanced ground proximity warning system, advanced navigation with terrain mapping and an automatic flight control system.

“This safety equipment would have enhanced situational awareness.  For instance, it didn’t have an autopilot, which means the crew had to manually handle the plane, so it sort of increases workload.”

That notwithstanding, he confirmed, “the aircraft was in a good condition to fly and met all safety requirements.”

He said the same crew had flown the same helicopter on its last three flights before the subject flight.

Meanwhile, he said the investigation committee had recommended that aircraft enhancements be acquired immediately for the Air Force.

Weather
The report points to poor weather conditions as the cause of the crash.

According to the report, the flight was initially scheduled to depart Accra for Kumasi at 8 am at an estimated route time of 50 minutes; however, the captain delayed the flight due to adverse weather in Accra, Kumasi and Obuasi.

The flight took off at 9:12:14 am and had the altitude changed throughout to avoid low clouds, the investigator said.

“The weather in Southern Ghana was poor in the day, which delayed departure for more than an hour. In Accra, conditions were nasty with visibility of about 5-7 km in very low clouds starting at 700 to 1100 ft above the ground.

“While the situation improved slightly later in the morning, the early hours were dominated by haze and overcast skies. In Kumasi, the weather was worse with drizzle, reducing visibility to around 4km and heavy low cloud sitting just 900 ft above ground.

“Only Accra and Kumasi aerodrome weather was available. There was no formal information on the weather available to the pilot along the flight route. Witnesses reported poor visibility due to fog at Brofoyedru and environs.”

Competence of Crew
He ruled out the potential of human causes, describing the pilot as “totally competent to fly.”

“All three {pilot, co-pilot and technician} were described by witnesses as calm, prepared and professional during the preflight activities.”

Crash
A GAF helicopter crashed on August 6, 2025, in Adansi Akrofrom in the Ashanti Region, claiming the lives of Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator.

It also claimed the lives of Dr Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Mr Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General, NADMO, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manden Twum-Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

Story by Hajara Fuseini

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