Investigation reveals downdraft caused August 6 helicopter crash that killed eight including Defence and Environment Ministers

The investigation into the August 6, 2025, Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Z-9 EH GAF 631 helicopter crash has determined that the accident was caused by a sudden loss of altitude and lift due to a downdraft.

Captain Paul Fordjour, Aircraft Accident Investigator, explained that “this loss of altitude without change in power or pitch attitude is consistent with downdraft associated with changing environmental conditions over high terrain.” The findings were presented by the Investigative Committee during a press conference at the Presidency in Accra on Tuesday.

The crash claimed the lives of eight individuals, including Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Defence Minister; Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Dr Samuel Sarpong, former Ashanti Regional Minister; Mr Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of NADMO; and Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

Captain Fordjour noted that the flight had departed Accra under Visual Flight Rules in marginal weather and was uneventful for most of the journey. At 0956 hours, the crew entered Instrument Meteorological Conditions (clouds) and transitioned into Instrument Flight Rules.

“Seconds before impact, the crew stated they could see high ground below,” he said. Moments later, the helicopter lost height without any change in power or pitch attitude and impacted a ridgeline at 1,370 feet above sea level, about 6.5 miles from the destination at 0958 hours.

On the condition of the aircraft, Captain Fordjour stated that the helicopter had entered GAF service in May 2015 (manufactured in 2012) and had reached its 10-year service threshold on May 18, 2025.

The aircraft had received a 90-day extension approved by the manufacturer. The helicopter was declared serviceable on the day of the flight and signed off by the Captain. While the Flight Data Recorder indicated the helicopter was in good working condition, it lacked certain avionic safety enhancements.

The report recommended modernising the Ghana Air Force fleet, including acquiring aircraft equipped with Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (TAWS), Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Systems (EGPWS), modern navigation systems, Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVR), and advanced Flight Data Recorders (FDR).

Other recommendations included investing in flight simulators for recurrent training, certified aviation weather services, en route navigational aids, flight data monitoring, en route tracking systems, and improved ground support equipment.