Helicopter Crash: Aircraft Engineer Downplays Claims of Bad Weather, Focuses on Sabotage

• An aircraft engineer has shared his views regarding the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight individuals in Ghana
• Speaking in an interview, he explained that the helicopter crash may have been caused by sabotage
• He also ruled out claims by some people that the helicopter may have crashed due to bad weather conditions

Dr Nestor Otoo, a seasoned aircraft engineer, has shared his expert views on the tragic helicopter crash involving the Ghana Armed Forces’ Z-9 helicopter, which crashed in a thick forest in the Adansi Akrofuom District, claiming eight lives.

Speaking in an interview with Adom FM on August 11, 2025, Dr Otoo, who is currently with the British Army, pointed out that he possibility of sabotage as a major causal factor for the crash.

He explained that for a helicopter carrying high-ranking individuals, top aircraft engineers and mechanics would be assigned to ensure that the aircraft is safe for travel.

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In this case, Dr. Otoo then stated that thorough checks would have been conducted to ensure that the helicopter was in perfect condition before takeoff, making an unforeseen failure quite rare.

“When you look at it, when you stand behind, the moment, the day, or the minute ahead of the aircraft crash, the first thing that dropped in my spirit was, this is sabotage. Why do I say sabotage? Because for an aircraft to fly dignitaries, it must be checked to the highest point of serviceability. An aircraft would not go down easily like that.”

He also downplayed theories that the weather could have played a role in the helicopter crash, emphasising that pilots are equipped to manage such situations.

“It’s highly unlikely. I mean, we have beautiful weather in Ghana. We have seen worse weather. And these pilots go through simulations and all that. It could hardly, you know, talking from my point of view, be a weather problem,” he stated.

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Details of the helicopter crash

The eight individuals were en route from Accra to Obuasi on the Ghana Armed Forces’ Z-9 helicopter for the launch of the Responsible Mining & Skills Training programme when the crash occurred at Adansi Sikaman.

Among the casualties were two cabinet ministers: the Defence Minister, Dr. Omane Boamah, and the Minister of Environment, Dr. Murtala Mohammed.

The other individuals were former Obuasi East parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, Deputy National Security Coordinator Limuna Muniru, and National Democratic Congress Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong. The army personnel who died in the crash were Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, and Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu.

President Mahama has meanwhile ordered a probe into the deadly helicopter crash.

In the interim, he has named Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson as acting Defence Minister and Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah as overseeing the Environment, Science, and Technology Ministry.

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GAF appeal to media over the helicopter crash

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that the Ghana Armed Forces had urged the media to be circumspect in their reportage on the August 6 helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region.

The army expressed concerns that there have been speculative and unsubstantiated commentaries on the crash.

Source: YEN.com.gh