A sudden downdraft and poor weather over hilly terrain caused the August 6, 2025, crash of a Z-9 helicopter in the Ashanti Region, the Aircraft Investigations Bureau (AIB) has revealed.
The accident killed eight people, including two government ministers. The final report was presented to the National Security Council on Monday and released to the media the following day.
Captain Paul Fordjour, Head of AIB Investigations, noted that the helicopter was airworthy but lacked modern safety systems that might have prevented the tragedy.
The Z-9 helicopter crash on August 6, 2025, in the Ashanti Region killed eight people, including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
The aircraft, tail number GHF 631, went off radar while flying from Accra to Obuasi and crashed in the Dampia Range Forest Reserve near Antoakrom.
A 30-day investigation led by National Security Coordinator Abdul-Osman Razak, with US Air Force technical support, found no mechanical faults, pilot error, or medical issues. Captain Paul Fordjour of the Aircraft Investigations Bureau said the crash was caused by a sudden downdraft and poor weather conditions, compounded by the lack of modern safety systems.
He emphasized that the pilots demonstrated professionalism and thorough preparation during pre-flight procedures, holding full qualifications recognized by both the Ghana Air Force and international aviation authorities.
“The helicopter was in good working condition and met all basic safety requirements, but it did not have advanced systems such as terrain awareness and warning equipment, automatic flight control, or navigation mapping, which could have improved situational awareness and reduced pilot workload.” He stated.
He added that after an hour-long delay because of bad weather, the crew departed Accra under visual flight regulations. The pilots had to convert to instrument flying rules as visibility drastically decreased as they got closer to Obuasi. The crew reported seeing high land below just before crash. At roughly 1,370 feet above sea level, the plane lost altitude and collided with a ridgeline.
“This loss of altitude without a change in power or pitch attitude is consistent with a downdraft linked to changing weather conditions over high terrain,” Captain Fordjour explained.
Investigators analyzed flight recorder data, decoded at the AVIC centre in Xi’an, along with maintenance logs, pilot records, and Ghana Meteorological Agency weather data. They also interviewed engineers, colleagues, and crew families.
Captain Fordjour praised the emergency response, saying first responders arrived at the crash site within two hours despite difficult conditions, including heavy rain and steep terrain.
The inquiry revealed systemic weaknesses in Ghana’s aviation sector, including limited access to real-time weather updates, insufficient simulator training, and the absence of comprehensive flight-tracking and data-monitoring capabilities.
Findings from the report indicated that:
-The crash occurred due to a sudden downdraft over challenging terrain, causing the helicopter to lose lift and altitude.
– The Z-9EH helicopter was mechanically sound but lacked critical safety features such as terrain awareness, autopilot, and advanced navigation tools.
-The crew were fully qualified, rested, and medically fit, with no evidence of human error contributing to the accident.
Visibility near Obuasi dropped to about 200 metres due to mist and rain, forcing the crew to rely on instruments. Rescue teams reached the crash site within two hours despite harsh weather and rugged terrain.
The inquiry cited major system gaps — including a lack of flight-tracking technology, data monitoring, and simulator training.
AIB Ghana urged the government to modernise aviation systems by acquiring aircraft with terrain awareness and navigation tools, improving weather monitoring, and investing in pilot simulators. The report also called for advanced cockpit recorders and upgraded ground data systems.
“We hope this report brings closure to the families of our departed heroes and to the nation,” he mentioned.
Captain Fordjour characterized the incident as a weather-induced accident, emphasizing that full implementation of the report’s recommendations would mark a major step toward improving Ghana’s aviation safety framework.
