A Ghana Air Force helicopter that crashed on 6 August had surpassed its 10-year operational lifespan at the time of the accident, according to an investigative committee report.
The aircraft, which entered service in May 2015 and was manufactured in 2012, reached its 10-year service threshold on 18 May 2025.
90-day extension
Investigators said the helicopter was granted a 90-day extension, valid until 18 August following approval from the manufacturer. The crash occurred just 12 days before the extension expired.
“Aircrafts, have periodic checks to make sure that they are fit for service. The 10-year check was what was mandated for this helicopter…The manufacturer gave a 90-day extension to 18 August 2025 and basically the helicopter met all the basic safety requirement. That notwithstanding, it sorts of met a 100-hour check on the helicopter before the flight”, said Flight Captain Paul Fordjour, Aircraft Accident Investigator and Head of Investigations at the Aircraft Investigations Bureau (AIB) Ghana.
“The aircraft on the day of the flight was declared serviceable and duly signed off by both the engineer and the captain. The FDR report indicated that the helicopter was in good condition. The helicopter however lacked some avionic safety enhancements”, he indicated.
The committee, established shortly after the crash, was tasked with determining the cause of the incident and recommending measures to prevent future occurrences.
Background
The ill-fated helicopter, with tail number GHF 631, took off from Accra at about 9:12 a.m. en route to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region on an anti-illegal mining operation when it lost radar contact and crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom District.
All eight passengers and crew members on board perished in the crash. The victims included the Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah; the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Muniru Mohammed Limuna; NDC Vice-Chair, Samuel Sarpong; former parliamentary candidate, Samuel Aboagye; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The investigation, led by National Security Coordinator Abdul-Osman Razak, was conducted in collaboration with the Ghana Air Force, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), and international aviation experts.
The report is expected to guide the implementation of stronger safety protocols and upgrades in military aviation operations.
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