Helicopter Crash Probe Reveals Weather, Safety Deficiencies Behind Fatal August 6 Air Force Disaster
The Ministry of Defence has released the much-anticipated official report into the August 6, 2025, Ghana Air Force helicopter crash, detailing the causes and contributing factors behind the tragedy that claimed eight lives, including senior military officers and crew members.
The comprehensive report, compiled by a joint investigative board comprising the National Security, Ghana Armed Forces, the Aircraft Accident & Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB Ghana), and supported by U.S. aviation experts, concluded that the crash resulted from a “sudden loss of lift due to downdraft” triggered by adverse weather conditions over high terrain.
Presenting the findings at the Jubilee House on Monday, November 11, Captain Paul Forjoe, a retired pilot and investigator with AIB Ghana, said the team examined flight data and cockpit voice recorders, wreckage debris, meteorological data, and witness accounts to piece together the sequence of events leading to the accident.
According to the report, the helicopter — which was flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) — entered deteriorating weather conditions before transitioning to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) shortly before impact. At approximately 09:58, just two minutes after the transition, the aircraft struck a ridgeline about 6.5 miles from Obuasi at an elevation of 1,370 feet.
While the immediate cause was attributed to a sudden downdraft, investigators cited systemic deficiencies within the Air Force’s operational and safety framework. The aircraft, though airworthy, lacked key modern safety equipment such as a Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS), advanced navigation mapping, and an Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS).
The report also highlighted the absence of national infrastructure for en route weather reporting and flight monitoring, noting that the Air Force had no real-time tracking or Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) systems. Additionally, the crew had no access to simulator training for recurrent practice, a gap the board said likely affected preparedness for severe weather operations.
However, the investigation ruled out human error, confirming that both pilots were FAA-licensed and medically fit.
The findings, according to the Ministry, will inform ongoing reforms to strengthen flight safety, upgrade navigational infrastructure, and enhance crew training within the Ghana Air Force.
