SOURCE: Maxwell Mensah, Investigative reporter
The Aircraft Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau, AIB Ghana, has released its final investigative report into the microlight aircraft crash that occurred on March 16 near Tema, close to the AU Village enclave in the Cantonments area of Accra, confirming that a combination of mechanical failure, environmental conditions, and operational violations led to the accident.
Addressing journalists in Accra, the Head of the Investigation Division, Captain Paul Forjoe, explained that the probe identified engine failure as the primary technical cause of the crash.
According to him, the malfunction occurred during flight and significantly reduced the pilot’s ability to maintain control of the aircraft.
He further noted that adverse environmental conditions at the time of the incident worsened the situation, making it more difficult for the pilot to execute safe emergency procedures.
The combination of these factors, investigators say, created a critical in-flight emergency that ultimately led to the crash.
Beyond the technical and environmental findings, the report also highlighted serious operational breaches.
Captain Forjoe disclosed that the pilot violated established flight safety protocols by carrying a passenger, his brother, on board the microlight aircraft at the time of the flight.
Investigators indicated that this action was contrary to approved flight conditions and contributed to the overall risk profile of the operation.
The AIB Ghana report concluded that the accident was not caused by a single factor but rather a chain of events involving mechanical failure, challenging environmental conditions, and human error linked to non-compliance with aviation regulations.
The March 16 crash, which occurred within the Greater Accra airspace near the AU Village enclave, prompted emergency response teams and aviation authorities to secure the area and begin preliminary investigations immediately after the incident.
The release of the final report is expected to reinforce calls for stricter adherence to safety procedures within Ghana’s light aircraft and recreational aviation sector.
Aviation experts have long emphasized the importance of compliance with passenger restrictions, weather assessment protocols, and pre-flight technical checks, particularly for microlight operations.
Authorities say the findings will guide future safety enforcement measures and help prevent similar incidents, as Ghana continues to strengthen oversight within its civil aviation framework.
