The Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB Ghana), led by the National Security Coordinator, COP Abdul-Razak Osman, and nine other members, on Tuesday, November 11, three months after the tragic Z-9 helicopter crash, released the full investigation report and findings into the incident.
The team was supported by three foreign experts, including Captain Dena McFadden, Captain Timothy Hayes, both mishap investigators from the United States Air Force, and Sherilyn Klueber, NCIS Force Protection Detachment at the US Embassy, Ghana
Key findings revealed that the crash occurred as a result of a sudden loss of altitude and lift caused by a downdraft.
It was also disclosed that both the pilot and co-pilot were in good standing and met all regulatory requirements and qualifications to operate the aircraft.
Below is the 41-page report presented to the nation by AIB Ghana.
Background
On August 6, 2025, a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9 helicopter carrying eight people to an event about fighting illegal mining crashed into a forested mountainside in the Ashanti region, killing all eight people on board.
Among the dead were Ghana’s defence minister Edward Omane Boamah and environment minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
The rest were acting deputy national security coordinator Limuna Mohammed Muniru, vice chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Samuel Sarpong, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
According to the Ghana Armed Forces, the helicopter took off from Kotoka International Airport in Accra at 9:12 a.m., heading northwest into the interior toward the gold-mining area at the Obuasi Black Park in Obuasi, when it went off the radar.
The helicopter’s wreckage was found later, with all of the victims burnt beyond recognition in a post-crash fire.
Footage of the crash site showed debris on fire in a forest as people circled around to help.
The crash was one of Ghana’s worst air disasters in more than a decade.
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