Tema Plane Crash: Third Microlight Accident Recorded in Ghana | By Dominick Andoh
Ghana’s aviation sector has recorded what is believed to be its third microlight aircraft accident, following the recent fatal crash in Tema that claimed two lives and has triggered renewed scrutiny of safety oversight and operational risks.
The latest incident occurred at Tema, where a microlight aircraft went down near a school park in Community One, bursting into flames on impact. The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that the aircraft, carrying two occupants, was en route from Ho to Accra before losing contact and crashing, with both individuals confirmed dead.
While investigations into the Tema crash are ongoing, preliminary insights from aviation sources who spoke to AviationGhana.com indicate that Ghana has recorded two past separate microlight-related accidents with distinct causal factors.
According to post-incident assessments, the first accident, which occurred in 2020, was attributed to human error, specifically linked to poor situational awareness during flight operations. Such lapses are often associated with inadequate spatial judgment, risks of low-altitude maneuvering, and limited pilot experience in microlight operations.
In contrast, findings from the second incident, which occurred in 2021, point to a mechanical failure, in which the aircraft’s aerial spraying mechanism reportedly caught fire midair, leading to loss of control and eventual crash.
Aviation analysts say the emerging pattern highlights the dual safety risks associated with microlight aviation, human factors and mechanical reliability, particularly in environments with evolving regulatory oversight.
Experts also caution that microlight aircraft, while cost-effective and widely used for training and specialised operations, have a weaker global safety record than conventional aircraft and are typically restricted to less-populated airspace.
The ongoing investigation by the Aircraft Incident and Accident Investigations Bureau (AIB) is expected to examine maintenance history, operational conditions, and pilot decision-making factors to establish definitive causes and recommend preventive measures.
Tema Plane Crash: 3rd Microlight Accident Recorded in Ghana | Send all enquiries and press releases to AviationGhana.info@gmail.com
