Z-9 helicopter was airworthy but lacked key safety equipment

The committee investigating the tragic military helicopter crash on August 6 has revealed that the aircraft was technically airworthy on the day of the incident but lacked crucial safety equipment that could have helped prevent the disaster.

Chaired by Acting Minister for Defence, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the investigative committee submitted its final report to President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, November 10, during a National Security Council meeting at the Jubilee House in Accra.

At a press briefing, Captain (Rtd) Paul Forjoe disclosed that the Harbin Z-9EH helicopter, operated by the Ghana Air Force, was missing essential safety systems, including the Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS/EGPWS), advanced terrain mapping navigation, and automatic flight control systems.

“The aircraft was declared serviceable and signed off by the pilot, who was fully competent to operate it,” Captain Forjoe emphasized.

The committee, established shortly after the crash, was tasked with determining the cause of the incident and recommending measures to prevent future occurrences.

The ill-fated helicopter, with tail number GHF 631, departed Accra at approximately 9:12 a.m., en route to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region on an anti-illegal mining operation. It lost radar contact and crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom District, claiming the lives of all eight on board. The victims included the Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah; the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Muniru Mohammed Limuna; NDC Vice-Chair, Samuel Sarpong; former parliamentary candidate, Samuel Aboagye; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

The investigation, led by National Security Coordinator Abdul-Osman Razak, was conducted in collaboration with the Ghana Air Force, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), and international aviation experts.

The report is expected to inform the implementation of enhanced safety protocols and upgrades in military aviation operations, ensuring that similar tragedies are avoided in the future.