The committee investigating the August 6, 2025, military helicopter crash has concluded that the incident was caused by a sudden loss of altitude and lift triggered by a strong downdraft.
During a public briefing on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, committee member Captain (Rtd) Paul Forjoe revealed that the helicopter encountered abrupt environmental changes while flying over elevated terrain, resulting in the catastrophic descent.
“The investigation determined that the accident was caused by the sudden loss of altitude and lift due to downdraft.
“This loss of altitude without a change in power or pitch altitude is consistent with a downdraft associated with changing environmental conditions over high terrain,” Captain Forjoe explained.
The crash involved a Harbin Z-9EH military helicopter (tail number GHF 631) operated by the Ghana Air Force.
The aircraft took off from 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.
Tragedy
Among the eight victims were Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed Limuna, NDC National Vice-Chair Samuel Sarpong, and former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye.
The three military personnel on board—Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah—were part of the Air Force’s special operations unit.
Flags across all government institutions were flown at half-mast for a week, and a state funeral was later held at Independence Square.
