The investigative committee tasked to investigate the tragic helicopter crash, has disclosed the cause.
It emerged from their probe that, a sudden and powerful downdraft caused horrendous helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight prominent Ghanaians including to ministers on Wednesday 6 August 2025.
This was confirmed by Captain Paul Forjoe, an Investigator and Retired Pilot with the Aircraft Accidents Investigations Bureau of Ghana (AAIBG) at a briefing today, Tuesday, November 11 at the Jubilee House in Accra.
It comes barely 24-hours after the report was presented to President John Mahama by the acting Minister for Defence, Dr Ato Baah Forson, during a National Security Council meeting at the presidency on Monday.
This final finding brings disclosure to the critical technical chapter on the tragedy, focusing on the volatile environmental forces at play over high terrain.
The investigation’s conclusion highlights the lethal interaction between rapidly changing weather patterns and the aircraft’s stability, particularly over elevated geographical areas.
“The investigation determined that the accident was caused by the sudden loss of altitude and lift due to downdraft,” stated Captain Paul Forjoe.
Downdraft, a strong current of air moving vertically downward, can rapidly overpower a helicopter’s rotors, drastically reducing the effective lift being generated. The report clarified that this sudden aerodynamic failure occurred without any corresponding pilot error or mechanical failure:
“This loss of altitude without change in power or pitch attitude is consistent with downdraft associated with changing environmental conditions over high terrain,” Captain Paul Forjoe explained.
This scenario indicates that even with the pilot maintaining the correct power and control inputs (pitch attitude), the strong downward air current effectively pushed the helicopter out of the sky, leading to the fatal impact.
The release of the technical finding confirms that the focus of the tragedy shifted from mechanical failure or human error to the overwhelming impact of adverse weather phenomena.
The loss of the eight lives underscores the inherent risks associated with aviation over mountainous or highly variable terrain, particularly where weather can shift suddenly.
Meanwhile, the Committee insisted that the aircraft was airworthy on the day of the incident just that it lacked critical safety equipment that could have helped prevent the tragedy.
Presenting details of the report at a press briefing, Captain (Rtd) Paul Forjoe disclosed that the Harbin Z-9EH helicopter, operated by the Ghana Air Force, did not have key safety systems such as the Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS/EGPWS), advanced terrain mapping navigation, and automatic flight control systems.
“The aircraft was declared serviceable and signed off by the pilot, who was fully competent to operate it,” Captain Forjoe said.
The team that investigators in its recommendation suggested the modernisation of the fleet of the Ghana Air Force.
“Acquire modern aircraft with TAWS/EGPWS and modern navigation systems. Invest in flight simulators for recurrent training, contract certified aviation weather provider,” it further recommended.
The retired Captain stated that the helicopter met all basic safety requirements.
“We also assessed the aircraft to see if it was for the purpose, he added. It met all the basic safety requirements, the helicopter was in good condition and met all safety requirements.”
However added that the helicopter lacked additional safety enhancements.
Captain Forjoe further stated that the crew who were involved in the Helicopter crash had flown three flights prior to their accident. He said the crew had 24 24-hour rest before the flight accident.
“The last 3 flights before the accident were conducted by the same crew,” he stressed.
Captain Forjoe said that the investigative team checked on the crew qualification. They also looked at the medical and psychological records of the crew.
The national tragedy occurred at a forest near mining town Obuasi where they were traveling to launch an initiative designed to tackle illegal mining.
All eight passengers and crew members on board perished in the crash. The victims included the Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah; the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Muniru Mohammed Limuna; NDC Vice-Chair, Samuel Sarpong; former parliamentary candidate, Samuel Aboagye; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
A national funeral was held for them the same month following which they were buried at the Military Cemetery in Accra.
The investigation, led by National Security Coordinator Abdul-Osman Razak, was conducted in collaboration with the Ghana Air Force, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), and international aviation experts.
The report is expected to guide the implementation of stronger safety protocols and upgrades in military aviation operations.
By Gifty Boateng