The investigative committee that looked into the August 6, 2025, military helicopter crash has confirmed that the aircraft was mechanically sound but lacked certain avionic safety enhancements, which contributed to the tragedy.
The crash involved a Z-9 helicopter and claimed the lives of eight senior government officials, including Minister for Defence Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Limuna Muniru, NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong, NADMO Deputy Director-General Samuel Aboagye, and three crew members.
Addressing the Public on Tuesday, November 11, Captain (Rtd) Paul Forjoe, a committee member, explained that the helicopter “experienced abrupt changes in environmental conditions while flying over high terrain, leading to the fatal descent.”
He emphasized that the loss of altitude occurred without any change in power or pitch attitude**, signaling that the aircraft itself was functioning properly.
The investigation report detailed the findings, “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 aircraft on the day of the flight was declared serviceable and duly signed off by the Captain,” he said.
Captain (Rtd) Forjoe added, “The FDR report indicates that the helicopter was in good working condition. The helicopter however, lacked some avionic safety enhancements.”
