No Mid-Air Explosion in Ghana Helicopter Crash – Investigative Team
Crash caused by downdraft, explosion only on impact; investigators call for urgent aviation safety upgrades
- No mid-air explosion; blast occurred upon ground impact
- Crash caused by sudden loss of altitude due to a powerful downdraft
- Committee recommends modern safety upgrades and training for Ghana Air Force aircraft
The committee investigating the August 6 military helicopter crash has confirmed that there was no mid-air explosion, with the blast occurring only upon impact with the ground.
At a briefing on Tuesday, November 11, Captain (Rtd) Paul Forjoe, leader of the investigative team, explained that the crash was caused by a sudden loss of altitude and lift due to a strong downdraft. He clarified that while the helicopter lacked some modern safety features, their absence did not directly cause the accident.
“If all these enhancements were present, they would certainly improve safety for dignitaries in flight. But it would be wrong to attribute this crash solely to their absence,” Captain Forjoe said. “The explosion occurred on impact; the fuel tank is located beneath the passenger cabin and was fully fueled at the time.”
The committee, established shortly after the crash, examined technical, operational, and environmental factors contributing to the tragedy. The Harbin Z-9EH helicopter (tail number GHF 631) was en route from Accra to Obuasi for an anti-illegal mining mission when it lost radar contact and crashed in Adansi Akrofuom District, killing all eight on board. Victims included Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed Limuna, and NDC Vice-Chair Samuel Sarpong, among others.
The investigation, overseen by National Security Coordinator Abdul-Osman Razak, involved the Ghana Air Force, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, and international aviation experts.
The committee urged the Ghana Air Force to upgrade its fleet with modern safety systems, including terrain avoidance warning systems, advanced navigation technologies, voice and audiovisual flight data recorders, and simulators for recurrent pilot training. Recommendations also included developing en route navigational aids, flight data monitoring, tracking systems, and modernizing ground support equipment.
Implementing these measures, the committee said, will strengthen aviation safety in Ghana and reduce the risk of future air disasters.
