The investigative committee probing the tragic military helicopter crash on August 6 has revealed that the aircraft was airworthy at the time of the incident but lacked critical safety equipment that could have prevented the tragedy.
Chaired by Acting Minister for Defence, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the committee 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.
At a press briefing, Captain (Rtd) Paul Forjoe provided details of the report, noting that the Harbin Z-9EH helicopter, operated by the Ghana Air Force, did not have essential 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, tail number GHF 631, took off from Accra around 9:12 a.m., en route to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region on an anti-illegal mining operation. It lost radar contact and crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom District, resulting in the deaths of all eight passengers and crew on board.
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, involved collaboration with the Ghana Air Force, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), and international aviation experts. The committee’s findings are expected to guide the implementation of stronger safety protocols and upgrades in military aviation operations.