Black box recovered after deadly helicopter crash
By Rebecca Okine
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, has confirmed the recovery of the black box from the Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter that crashed and exploded in flames on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, in the Adansi Akrofuom District.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, August 7, 2025, Dr. Amoakohene stated that the device, which is vital for determining the cause of the crash, has been retrieved and is now in the hands of aviation authorities for analysis.
The tragic crash claimed the lives of eight individuals, including high-profile government officials. Among the deceased were Minister for Defense Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, NDC Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, and former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye.
Also on board were three crew members from the Ghana Armed Forces: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah. All three perished in the incident.
The recovered black box, often misunderstood in name and appearance, is a critical flight recorder. It is a crash-resistant, bright orange device made up of two main parts. The Flight Data Recorder (FDR) logs information such as altitude, speed, and engine performance. The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) captures all cockpit conversations and ambient sounds.
Together, these tools store over 25 hours of flight data and two hours of audio. They serve as essential resources in post-crash investigations.
In this case, the black box will help determine whether the crash resulted from mechanical failure, environmental factors, or human error.
Investigators are expected to analyze the data to reconstruct the helicopter’s final moments. This could bring clarity and closure to the nation in the wake of the high-profile disaster.
