Why the August 6 military helicopter went down – inside the official investigation report
The Z-9 helicopter accident on August 6, 2025, was caused by a sudden downdraft and poor weather conditions over hilly terrain in the Ashanti Region, the committee tasked with the investigations has said.
The accident claimed eight lives, including two cabinet ministers.
The findings were released at a media briefing in Accra on Tuesday [November 11, 2025], a day after the final report was presented to the National Security Council.
Presenting the details, Captain Paul Forjoe, Aircraft Accident Investigator and Head of Investigations at the Aircraft Investigations Bureau (AIB) Ghana, said the Z-9EH utility helicopter operated by the Ghana Air Force was airworthy but lacked modern safety systems that could have helped the pilots avoid the fatal descent.
The crash led to the deaths of the Minister for Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, the Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Mr Limuna Muniru, NDC National Vice Chairman, Mr Samuel Sarpong, and the Deputy Director-General of NADMO, Mr Samuel Aboagye, together with three Air Force crew members.
The Z-9 helicopter, with tail number GHF 631, went off radar on the morning of August 6, 2025, while flying from Accra to Obuasi. It later crashed in the Dampia Range Forest Reserve near Antoakrom in the Amansie West District.
A 30-day investigation board, chaired by the National Security Coordinator, Mr Abdul-Osman Razak, and supported by technical advisers from the United States Air Force, was set up to determine the causes and circumstances leading to the crash.
Captain Fordjour said the investigation found no evidence of mechanical fault, human error, or medical impairment.
He explained that the pilots were calm, prepared, and professional during pre-flight checks and were fully qualified under both Ghana Air Force and international standards.
“The helicopter was in good working condition and met all basic safety requirements,” he said. “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 said the crew took off from Accra under visual flight rules after a one-hour delay due to poor weather. As they approached Obuasi, visibility dropped sharply, forcing the pilots to switch to instrument flight rules. Moments before impact, the crew reported sighting high ground below. The aircraft then lost altitude and struck a ridgeline at about 1,370 feet above sea level.
“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.
The investigation used data from the flight recorders, which were decoded at the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) centre in Xi’an.
The team also reviewed maintenance records, pilot logs, and weather data from the Ghana Meteorological Agency, and interviewed engineers, colleagues, and families of the crew.
Captain Forjoe commended the emergency teams, describing the response as timely. He said first responders reached the crash site within two hours despite heavy rain, poor visibility, and steep terrain.
He said the inquiry also exposed weaknesses in the country’s aviation system, including inadequate real-time weather services, limited simulator training, and the absence of flight-tracking and data-monitoring systems.
The report outlined several findings and recommendations.
Cause of crash: The helicopter lost lift and altitude due to a downdraft caused by poor weather and rugged terrain.
Aircraft condition: The Z-9EH helicopter was airworthy but lacked terrain awareness, autopilot, and advanced navigation systems.
Crew competence: The pilots were fully qualified, well-rested, and medically fit, with no evidence of fatigue or human error.
Weather conditions: Visibility dropped to about 200 metres near Obuasi, with mist, rain, and low clouds forcing instrument flying.
Emergency response: Rescue teams reached the crash site within two hours despite difficult terrain and bad weather.
Systemic issues: The Air Force lacked real-time tracking systems, flight data monitoring, and simulator-based training.
The AIB Ghana recommended that the government acquire aircraft with terrain awareness and advanced navigation systems, invest in simulators for pilot training, and establish national en-route navigational aids and real-time weather monitoring systems.
It also advised the installation of modern cockpit voice and flight data recorders with audiovisual capability and the modernisation of ground support and flight data systems.
Captain Forjoe described the crash as an unfortunate weather-related accident and said the recommendations, once implemented, would help improve aviation safety.
“We hope this report brings closure to the families of our departed heroes and to the nation,” he said.
