The committee investigating the August 6, 2025, military helicopter crash has concluded that the tragedy was triggered by a sudden loss of altitude and lift caused by a downdraft.
The aircraft, flying over high terrain, encountered abrupt environmental changes that led to its fatal descent.
At a public briefing on Tuesday, November 11, Captain (Rtd) Paul Forjoe, a committee member, explained that the helicopter’s loss of altitude occurred without any change in power or pitch attitude, indicating that the descent was linked to natural atmospheric conditions rather than mechanical failure.
The investigation report stated, “The investigation determined that the 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.”
The committee emphasized that the helicopter had been declared serviceable and signed off by the Captain before the flight.
The Flight Data Recorder (FDR) confirmed the aircraft was in good working condition, though it lacked some avionic safety enhancements.
The crash involved a Z-9 helicopter and claimed the lives of eight senior government officials, including the Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, who also served as the Member of Parliament for Tamale Central.
Other victims included Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Limuna Muniru, NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong, NADMO Deputy Director-General Samuel Aboagye, and three crew members.
“The aircraft on the day of the flight was declared serviceable and duly signed off by the Captain. The FDR report indicates that the helicopter was in good working condition. The helicopter however, lacked some avionic safety enhancements,” the committee noted.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
