The military helicopter crash on August 6, 2025, that claimed the lives of eight government officials was caused by a sudden loss of altitude and lift due to a downdraft, the investigative committee has confirmed.
The crash involved a Z-9 helicopter and killed eight senior officials, including Minister for Defence Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Minister for Environment, Science and Technology Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, who was also the MP for Tamale Central.
Other victims included Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Limuna Muniru, NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong, NADMO Deputy Director-General Samuel Aboagye, and three crew members.
At a public briefing on November 11, Captain (Rtd) Paul Forjoe, a member of the committee, explained that the aircraft encountered “abrupt changes in environmental conditions while flying over high terrain, leading to the fatal descent.”
The report stated, “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 committee said the helicopter was declared serviceable and duly signed off by the Captain before the flight, and the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) confirmed it was in good working condition. However, it lacked some avionic safety enhancements.
“The aircraft on the day of the flight was declared serviceable and duly signed off by the Captain. The FDR report indicates that the helicopter was in good working condition. The helicopter however, lacked some avionic safety enhancements,” the committee noted.
