Helicopter Crash Investigative Board Fails to Meet 30-Day Deadline
JHNews || The investigative board probing the August Z-9 helicopter crash has missed its 30-day deadline to deliver a full report, despite being provided with the preliminary findings at its launch.
HENRY GERCHI 
The special board set up to investigate the August 6, 2025, Z-9 military helicopter crash has failed to submit its final report within the mandated 30-day period, GhanaWeb has reported.
According to the Defence Ministry’s directive, the investigative board—comprising aviation safety experts, senior military officers, and civil aviation representatives—was to deliver its findings within a month of its formation. The panel received the preliminary accident report and was granted unrestricted access to evidence, flight data, and witness statements to expedite its work.
Despite these preparations, the deadline passed without the promised conclusions or recommendations being reached. Officials have not provided a revised timeline, fuelling concern among families of the victims and aviation safety advocates who say timely disclosure is critical for transparency and for preventing similar tragedies.
The crash, which occurred during a routine training mission near Bonsu, claimed several military personnel’s lives and raised urgent questions about maintenance protocols and airworthiness of the Ghana Air Force’s helicopter fleet. Aviation analysts note that while complex crash investigations often require months, the government’s own timetable created public expectations for a quicker resolution.
Sources close to the board suggest that additional forensic analysis of recovered components and coordination with foreign manufacturers may be contributing to the delay. The Defence Ministry has yet to release an official statement explaining the missed deadline or indicating when the final report will be ready.
