Cause of August 6 Z-9 helicopter crash that killed 8 finally revealed

The investigative committee examining the tragic military helicopter crash of August 6, 2025, has confirmed that the disaster was caused by a sudden loss of altitude and lift due to a powerful downdraft.

During a public briefing on Tuesday, November 11, Captain (Rtd) Paul Forjoe, a member of the committee, explained that the aircraft encountered abrupt environmental changes while flying over high terrain, which triggered the fatal descent.

“The investigation concluded that the helicopter’s sudden loss of altitude and lift was caused by a downdraft,” Captain Forjoe stated.

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“This loss of altitude, occurring without any change in power or pitch attitude, aligns with the effects of downdrafts associated with rapidly changing conditions over elevated terrain.”

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The committee, chaired by the Acting Minister for Defence, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, was mandated to determine the cause of the crash and propose measures to prevent similar incidents.

Its final report identified a combination of technical, operational, and environmental factors that contributed to the accident.

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Cause of helicopter crash in Ghana

The crash involved a Harbin Z-9EH military helicopter (tail number GHF 631) operated by the Ghana Air Force. The aircraft departed Accra at approximately 9:12 a.m. en route to Obuasi for an anti-illegal mining operation but lost radar contact before crashing in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.

Tragically, all eight people on board—including senior government officials and military officers—lost their lives. Among the victims were Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence, and Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology.

The findings underscore the dangers posed by unpredictable weather phenomena over high terrain and have prompted urgent recommendations for the acquisition of enhanced safety-equipped aircraft to safeguard future operations.