The long-awaited official investigation report into the tragic August 6, 2025, crash of a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9 helicopter has been released, shedding new light on the incident that claimed eight lives, including senior officials and crew members.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) Accident Report, compiled by a joint board comprising National Security, the Ghana Armed Forces, the Aircraft Accident & Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB Ghana), and assisted by US experts, detailed a combination of environmental and systemic safety issues as the main causes of the crash.
Presented at the Jubilee House by Captain Paul Forjoe, a retired pilot and investigator at AIB Ghana, the findings revealed that while the immediate cause was a sudden weather phenomenon, the aircraft lacked critical safety systems that could have prevented the disaster.
The investigation team analyzed flight data recorders (FDR), cockpit voice recorders (CVR), wreckage debris, meteorological data, and witness statements to reach its conclusions.
Below are ten key findings from the report:
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Sudden Loss of Lift Due to Downdraft: The crash resulted from a sudden loss of altitude and lift caused by powerful downdrafts, with no changes in crew control inputs.
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Adverse Weather and High Terrain: The aircraft encountered rising terrain, turbulence, and limited visibility—conditions that intensified the downdraft impact.
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Lack of En Route Weather Information: Pilots only had weather reports from Accra and Kumasi, leaving them unaware of worsening conditions mid-flight.
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Transition to Instrument Flight Before Impact: The crew began under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) but entered Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) and lost control within two minutes.
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Impact on Ridgeline: The helicopter struck a ridgeline at 1,370 feet, roughly 6.5 miles from Obuasi, its intended destination.
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Missing Modern Safety Enhancements: Although airworthy, the aircraft lacked critical systems such as a Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS/EGPWS), advanced navigation mapping, and an Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS).
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Limited National Navigational Capability: Ghana’s aviation infrastructure lacks ground-based aids and comprehensive weather services for remote operations.
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No Real-Time Flight Tracking: The Air Force had no Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) or real-time tracking systems like ADS-B or Secondary Surveillance Radar.
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Lack of Simulator Training: Crews had no access to simulator-based recurrent training, limiting preparedness for sudden in-flight emergencies.
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Crew Competence and Health Ruled Out: Both pilots were FAA-certified and medically fit; human error or impairment was ruled out.
The report emphasizes that the combination of adverse weather, inadequate equipment, and systemic gaps in flight safety oversight contributed to the fatal accident.
Investigators recommend urgent modernization of Ghana’s military aviation systems, enhanced pilot training, and investment in national weather and navigation infrastructure to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
