Z-9 Helicopter Crash: “The Terrain Was Tough, but First Responders Did Their Job” – Captain Forjoe
Investigators say first responders acted swiftly despite rain and steep terrain at crash site.
- Emergency teams reached the crash site within two hours despite difficult terrain and poor weather
- Helicopter crashed due to sudden loss of altitude and lift caused by a downdraft over high terrain
- Committee report highlights both the cause of the crash and effectiveness of the response
Captain (Rtd) Paul Forjoe, a member of the committee investigating the August 6 military helicopter crash, has commended the emergency response, noting that first responders acted swiftly despite the challenging conditions at the crash site.
At a public briefing on Tuesday, November 11, Captain Forjoe revealed that rescuers reached the site within two hours despite steep slopes, heavy rain, and slippery terrain.
“The fact that the team got there in about two hours was remarkable given the steep and difficult terrain,” he said. “Considering the rain and slippery conditions, the response was very timely.”
The committee, chaired by Acting Defence Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, was tasked with determining the cause of the crash and recommending measures to prevent future incidents. Its report concluded that the Harbin Z-9EH helicopter (tail number GHF 631), operated by the Ghana Air Force, crashed after a sudden loss of altitude and lift caused by a downdraft over high terrain.
The aircraft had departed Accra for Obuasi on an anti-illegal mining mission when it lost radar contact and crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region. All eight people on board, including senior government officials and military personnel, perished.
Captain Forjoe emphasized that the committee’s findings were based on technical data, witness accounts, and environmental conditions, providing insights into both the crash’s cause and the effectiveness of the emergency response.
