Helicopter Downed Despite Airworthiness: Missing Vital Safety Gear – Report
The investigative committee probing the tragic military helicopter crash on August 6 has revealed that the aircraft was airworthy on the day of the incident but lacked critical safety equipment that could have helped prevent the tragedy.
The committee, chaired by Acting Minister for Defence, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, submitted its final report to President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, November 10, during a National Security Council meeting at the Jubilee House in Accra.
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 committee, established shortly after the crash, was tasked with determining the cause of the incident and recommending measures to prevent future occurrences.
The ill-fated helicopter, with tail number GHF 631, took off from Accra at about 9:12 a.m. en route to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region on an anti-illegal mining operation when it lost radar contact and crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom District.
All eight passengers and crew members on board perished in the crash. The victims included the Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward 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.
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.
