Two Dead in Aircraft Crash at Tema
By Maame Efua Kwaduah
Two persons died on Monday afternoon when a chopper crashed near the TMA Day Nursery School at Site 17 in Tema, causing panic among residents in the area.
The aircraft, identified as a Sky Arrow 650T with registration number 9G-ADV, went down close to the school premises at about 2:58 p.m. Fortunately, no pupils were injured, though some structures within the school compound were affected by the impact.
The two occupants on board, believed to be the pilot and co-pilot, died at the scene.
Speaking to THE NEW FINDER, DO II Ebenezer Yenzu, the Tema Regional Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ghana National Fire Service, confirmed that the Service received a distress at about 2:59 p.m., shortly after the crash occurred around 2:58 p.m.
“When we arrived, we realised the chopper had crashed with two persons on board. Unfortunately, both of them had died. Our team retrieved the bodies and handed them over to the police for preservation and autopsy,” he said.
He added that the area has been cordoned off to secure the aircraft and ensure investigations can commence without interference.
“As we speak, the area is under control and we have ensured that every part of the aircraft is protected for investigation to commence without interference,” he noted.
DO II Yenzu further explained that the ownership of the aircraft remains unclear, but he believes it is a private one.
“We are yet to ascertain what caused the crash. At the moment, investigations are ongoing and he added.
The Sky Arrow 650T is a tandem two-seat, high-wing pusher light aircraft originally manufactured by 3I (Iniziative Industriali Italiane) and later by Magnaghi Aeronautica. It is powered by a 100-horsepower engine, capable of reaching a maximum speed of approximately 194 km/h (121 mph) and a service ceiling of 4,100 meters (13,500 feet).
