Downdraft and Poor Visibility Caused August Helicopter Crash — Official Report Confirms
Tragic helicopter crash on August 6 2025
Accra, Ghana- The official report into the August 6, 2025 Ghana Air Force helicopter crash has revealed that the accident was caused by a severe downdraft and sudden loss of lift triggered by poor weather conditions over hilly terrain. The investigation concluded that there was no mechanical failure or pilot error, but emphasized the urgent need for fleet modernization and improved tracking systems to prevent future disasters.
“The accident was caused by a sudden loss of altitude and lift consistent with downdraft associated with changing environmental conditions over high terrain,” Captain Fojo explained. “There was no mechanical fault or pilot error involved. The aircraft was airworthy but lacked certain avionics enhancements that could have improved situational awareness.”
The findings were presented at the Jubilee House by Captain Paul Fojo, the lead investigator from the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Preventive Bureau (AIB-Ghana). The report brings closure to one of Ghana’s deadliest air accidents in recent years.
Captain Fojo disclosed that investigators had listened to the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) several times and analyzed detailed flight data before reaching their conclusions.
“We listened to the recordings repeatedly, and they formed part of what informed our findings,” he said. “The flight data recorder logged 93 parameters every second, including switch positions, height, and time-bound data. Our conclusions are based entirely on these objective indicators, not conjecture.”
He explained that the aircraft flying from Accra to Obuasi encountered severe turbulence and downdrafts typical of rugged terrain, which caused the fatal descent despite the crew applying power and maintaining proper pitch.
“What they went through was an aviation phenomenon that even the best pilots in the world would have struggled to recover from,” Capt. Fojo stated. “They were simply very unfortunate.”
The AIB-Ghana team strongly recommended immediate modernization of the Ghana Air Force’s fleet. The Z-9EH helicopter involved in the crash lacked terrain-awareness and warning systems (TAWS), enhanced ground-proximity warning, and real-time flight monitoring.
“Modernization of the fleet should be done immediately tomorrow is even not fast enough,” Capt. Fojo stressed. “As soon as the country can afford it, we must do it. We owe it to ourselves to ensure that aircraft carrying our officers and dignitaries are equipped with the highest safety technologies.”
He also confirmed that while the aircraft’s airworthiness check had been postponed, it was a standard operational procedure within acceptable aviation limits. “The postponement of maintenance was an operational decision and it’s an accepted industry practice,” he said. “There was nothing irregular about it.”
Addressing public speculation about reports that the helicopter “exploded midair,” investigators clarified that no explosion occurred before impact. “The Z-9’s fuel tank is located beneath the passenger cabin. The explosion occurred on impact, not in the air,” Capt. Fojo clarified. “Eyewitness timelines corroborate this finding.”
On radar and tracking confusion, he explained that Ghana’s radar coverage is limited to Accra and Kumasi, and that the helicopter’s route naturally took it beyond radar range.
“Flight monitoring is not the same as radar,” he said. “Monitoring ensures that aircraft positions are tracked in real time, even beyond radar coverage. Civil airlines already do this by law and the Air Force must do the same.”
Both pilots were found to be fully licensed and medically fit. The captain held advanced aviation safety training from Cranfield University (UK), while the co-pilot was FAA-certified. Investigators found no evidence of negligence or panic in the cockpit recordings.
Asked whether an emergency landing could have been attempted, Capt. Fojo noted that the decision would have rested entirely on the captain’s judgment. “Nothing went wrong with the aircraft. The captain did not perceive the need for an emergency landing, and based on the data, he had no indication of imminent failure.”
The investigation proposed a comprehensive set of reforms to improve military and national aviation safety, including:
Immediate installation of terrain and weather awareness systems in all Air Force aircraft.
Creation of a national flight tracking and monitoring center.
Establishment of regional radar coverage beyond Accra and Kumasi.
Expansion of pilot simulation training for emergency scenarios.
Integration of civil-military cooperation frameworks for joint rescue and monitoring operations.
“What we’re recommending isn’t a luxury,” Capt. Fojo emphasized. “These are international best practices that will save lives and enhance national security.”
The official report, endorsed by the National Security Council and presented to President John Dramani Mahama, concludes that the crash was a weather-induced accident aggravated by environmental conditions and limited onboard systems.
“It was a tragic but preventable loss,” the report stated. “If modernization is implemented promptly, Ghana will significantly reduce the risk of future aviation disasters.”
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