The Z-9 helicopter, which claimed the lives of 8 public servants, including three military officers, lacked crucial advanced components to fly.

Though it was declared airworthy after the necessary technical checks before takeoff, Captain Paul Forjoe insisted the aircraft was missing critical safety systems.

Captain Forjoe presented a final report on the infamous August 6 helicopter crash, which killed two ministers, Dr Omane Boamah (Defence Minister) and Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed (Environment Minister), and six other cherished servants of the land to President Mahama on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.

“The aircraft on the day when it crashed was declared serviceable and duly signed off by the captain… This safety equipment (Terrain Awareness and Warning System) could have enhanced situational awareness,” he disclosed.

A joint board from National Security, the Ghana Armed Forces, and the Aircraft Accident & Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB Ghana), and assisted by some US officials, using flight data recorders (FDR), cockpit voice recorders (CVR), wreckage debris, meteorological data, and witness statements to draw a Ministry of Defence (MOD) Accident Report.