An investigator with the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB), Captain Paul Forjoe, has disclosed that the pilot of the Z-9 military helicopter that crashed in August did not consider an emergency landing before the fatal incident.

Speaking to journalists at the Flagstaff House in Accra during the presentation of the Z-9 Accident Report, Captain Forjoe explained that emergency landings are typically initiated when pilots detect faults or unusual conditions mid-flight. However, in this case, the pilot appeared confident that the aircraft remained stable and under control.

“An emergency landing could have prevented the accident because it would have placed the pilots in a better situational awareness mode, enabling them to make decisions that might have helped avoid the crash. But let’s not kid ourselves,” he stated.

Captain Forjoe further emphasized the importance of equipping the Ghana Air Force with advanced flight systems and safety tools to enhance operational efficiency and ensure the protection of high-profile passengers.

“It’s like saying more meat never spoils the soup. These additional enhancements would really help. The Air Force knows how much they improve safety, especially for dignitaries. That’s why we’re recommending them,” he said.

He clarified, however, that the absence of such systems was not the cause of the crash.

“It would be wrong to suggest the accident happened because those systems were not there. That would be too far-fetched,” he added.

Addressing speculation about an explosion before the crash, Captain Forjoe confirmed that no explosion occurred in flight. He explained that the helicopter’s fuel tank, located beneath the passenger seats, ignited upon impact, causing the post-crash fire.

“The aircraft was flying to Obuasi and back and wasn’t scheduled to refuel there, so it had a full fuel load. The explosion occurred only on impact,” he noted.

The investigative committee, established shortly after the August 6 crash, was tasked with determining the causes of the tragedy and recommending measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.