The August 6th helicopter tragedy investigation report has revealed that the Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 EH GAF 631 helicopter accident was caused by the sudden loss of altitude and lift due to downdraft
“This loss of altitude without change in power or pitch attitude is consistent with downdraft associated with changing environmental conditions over high terrain,” said Captain Paul Fordjour, Aircraft Accident Investigator in the August 6th Helicopter Tragedy Investigation.
The content of the report was made public by the Investigative Committee at a press conference held on Tuesday at the Presidency in Accra.
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The eight persons who died in the Z-9 EH GAF 631 helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, at Adansi Akrofuom Brofoyedu in the Ashanti Region included Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Defence Minister; and Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation.
Others were Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Dr Samuel Sarpong, First Vice Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC)/a former Ashanti Regional Minister and Mr Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO)/a former Parliamentary Candidate, Obuasi East.
The rest were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Captain Fordjour noted that on the said date of the accident, the flight departed Accra under Visual Flight Rules in marginal weather to Brofoyedru, which was uneventful (approximately 90NM out of 100NM).
He said at 0956 hours, the crew entered Instrument Meteorological Conditions (clouds) and transitioned into Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).
“Seconds before impact, the crew stated they could see high ground below,” he stated.
“Suddenly after, the helicopter lost height without change of power or pitch attitude and impacted a ridgeline at 1,370 feet above sea level, about 6.5 miles from destination at 0958 hours.”
He said the Z-9 EH accident was an unfortunate and sudden weather related accident.
Touching on the fitness of the helicopter, Captain Fordjour said the helicopter entered GHAF service in May 2015 (manufactured 2012) and reached its 10-year service threshold on 18th May 2025.
He said the aircraft received a 90-day extension (to 18th August 2025) with manufacturer’s approval
“The aircraft on the day of the flight was declared serviceable and duly signed off by the Captain.”
He said the FDR report indicates that the helicopter was in good working condition, adding that the helicopter, however, lacked some avionic safety enhancements.
The report recommended modernisation of the fleet of the Ghana Air Force and acquisition of modern aircraft with Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) and Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) and modern navigation systems.
Others are Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) with audio visual capable types, Invest in flight simulators for recurrent training, Contract certified aviation weather provider, En route navigational aids, Flight Data monitoring, En route tracking systems and Ground Support equipment.
Captain Fordjour said implementing the safety recommendations will prevent recurrence of accidents.
GNA
