Ghana Sends Military Helicopter Black Box to China for Decoding | By Dominick Andoh | Days after the tragic military helicopter crash in the Dampayaw Forest at Adanse in the Western Region, which claimed eight lives, Ghanaian authorities are taking the next critical step in uncovering the cause of the accident.
The Black Box, recovered a day after the crash, will be sent to its manufacturer in China this week for opening and data decoding.
The team tasked with the operation is expected to return to Ghana by September 2, 2025, with key findings that could shed light on what happened during the ill-fated flight.
The decision to send the Black Box to the manufacturer follows established international aviation safety protocols, ensuring that the data is retrieved without risk of corruption or misinterpretation. The recorder will provide crucial cockpit audio and technical information, helping investigators reconstruct the final moments before the crash.
The Flight Data Recorder will undergo a similar examination to support a complete technical analysis.
AviationGhana can reveal that the investigation is not being left solely in the hands of the Ghana Armed Forces. In a bid to ensure transparency and credibility, the investigative team includes experienced aircraft safety engineers, former Ghana Air Force pilots, and independent civil aviation engineers.
According to officials, this diverse panel will ensure that findings are comprehensive, impartial, and informed by both military and civilian expertise. The move follows public calls for transparency in high-profile aviation accident investigations, particularly where state-owned assets are involved.
As Aviationghana earlier reported, the accident involved a Ghana Armed Forces helicopter on a mission from Accra to Obuasi. Five passengers and three crew members, including senior officials, were on board. The crash occurred in dense forest terrain, complicating immediate recovery efforts.
Defence and aviation experts note that decoding the Black Box data could answer critical questions, including whether technical failure, environmental conditions, or human factors contributed to the tragedy.
Upon the team’s return from China, the decoded data and physical evidence recovered from the crash site will be analysed. Authorities have pledged to release a preliminary report to the public, reinforcing their commitment to openness and accountability in the wake of one of Ghana’s most serious military aviation disasters in recent years.
Ghana Sends Military Helicopter Black Box to China for Decoding | By Dominick Andoh | Send all enquiries and press releases to AviationGhana.info@gmail.com
