Aircraft Accident Investigator and member of the board of inquiry set up by President Mahama to probe the crash of the Z-9 helicopter, Captain Paul Forjoe, has disclosed that the tragic military helicopter crash, which claimed eight lives in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, was caused by a sudden loss of altitude and lift due to a downdraft.
He made this revelation while addressing the media at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, following the release of the committee’s official report.
“The investigation determined that the accident was caused by the loss of altitude and lift due to a downdraft. This loss of altitude, without any change in power or pitch attitude, is consistent with a downdraft associated with changing environmental conditions over high terrain,” Captain Forjoe stated.
According to the report, other contributing factors were organizational and systemic in nature. These included limited navigational capability in remote areas, lack of flight data monitoring, inadequate training, absence of secondary surveillance radar (SSR), and the lack of real-time aircraft tracking.
Captain Forjoe emphasized the urgent need to modernize the Ghana Air Force’s fleet to enhance safety and operational efficiency.
“There is a definite need to modernize the fleet of the Ghana Air Force. We have recommended that the Ghana Air Force acquire modern aircraft equipped with terrain avoidance warning systems and advanced navigation systems. The aircraft should also have audiovisual cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders,” he recommended.
He further urged the Ghana Air Force to invest in advanced simulators and certified aviation weather services to strengthen flight safety standards.
“We have also recommended that the Air Force invest in simulators for recurrent training, contract certified aviation weather providers, and establish en-route navigational aids, especially in remote areas,” he added.
Captain Forjoe concluded that the crash was an unfortunate weather-related accident and expressed optimism that implementing the committee’s recommendations would help prevent similar incidents in the future.
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Story by Oliver Arthur Acorlor | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Gabriel Tecco Mensah
