Ghana’s presidential jet, the Falcon 900 Executive aircraft, is undergoing final testing in France after a prolonged maintenance process, Deputy Minister for Defence Ernest Brogya Genfi has disclosed.
Addressing Parliament on Thursday, November 6, the Deputy Minister said the aircraft was sent to Dassault Falcon Service (DFS) in Le Bourget, France, on March 11, 2025, for a mandatory 24-month and 1,600-flying-hour inspection.
“The Falcon 900Ex EASy aircraft was ferried to Dassault Falcon Service (DFS) in Le Bourget, France on Tuesday, 11 Mar 25, for the 24 Monthly/1600FH periodic inspection,” Mr. Genfi told the House.
“This inspection is a mandatory airworthiness requirement that ensures that the main maintenance tasks and the due list tasks compiled for the 24-monthly inspections have been completed and functional checks successfully carried out.”
He revealed that the aircraft’s delivery was delayed after engineers discovered corrosion in the fuel tanks.
However, during the process, another issue emerged — fuel leakages from the right-hand wing tank.
“In the course of the inspection, fuel leakages were observed from the Right-hand (RH) wing tank. Unfortunately, after successfully repairing the section of the wing that experienced the leakages, another challenge was encountered while reinstalling the lower panel beneath the wing,” Mr. Genfi said, adding that this caused further delays.
To resolve the problem, Dassault Aviation invited the Falcon Wing Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to assess the situation and expedite repairs. “The repair from the OEM has been successfully carried out and the RH wing repair has also been completed,” he confirmed.
Mr. Genfi assured that the aircraft is now in its final phase of testing before returning home. “Upon the completion of this rectification, the aircraft has to undergo a leak test of the fuel tanks, a third engine ground run, painting of wing lower panel and finally an acceptance flight will be performed,” he said.
He concluded by assuring Parliament that “the Falcon 900EX aircraft will return to Ghana after all the necessary tests.”
