The Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau (AIB Ghana) has revealed in its preliminary investigations into the fatal microlight aircraft crash which occurred on March 16 that the aircraft attempted an emergency landing before it later lost control and crashed.

The authority made these revelations during a press briefing held in Accra on Friday, April 17, while it fulfilled both national law and International Civil Aviation Organisation requirements, which mandate that the Bureau update the public on the progress of an investigation if the final report is not ready within 30 days of an incident. 30 days.

Speaking during the briefing, Captain Paul Forjoe, Investigator-in-Charge, said there was, however, no record that the pilot informed Air Traffic Control (ATC) of the said emergency.

He continued that eyewitnesses observed the aircraft flying at a low altitude over Tema and attempting to signal children in a school park to vacate the area to enable an emergency landing.

“During a subsequent attempt at landing, the aircraft was observed in a left bank attitude shortly before it lost control and impacted the ground,” he said.

He also noted that investigative work is under steady progress, indicating that the final report will be due on May 29.

He added that the initial phase of the investigation had been completed. Still, they were awaiting critical inputs, including autopsy results, to determine the exact causes and contributory factors of the accident.

On the AIB’s part, the probe is not to point fingers at anyone but to identify shortfalls and propose safety recommendations to prevent future occurrences.

The Investigator-in-Charge, Captain Paul Forjoe, also indicated that a formal team comprising five investigators and three observers had been constituted, with additional support from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, which assigned two focal persons to assist.

Also, the manufacturers of the aircraft in Italy have sent two experts, an accredited representative and an adviser to participate in the investigation.

Captain Forjoe said the team had relied on multiple data sources, including drone footage, eyewitness accounts, CCTV recordings, air traffic control transcripts, radar data, and technical records relating to the aircraft and its crew.

Incidents before the crash, movements of the aircraft

According to Captain Forjoe, the microlight departed Accra at 0645 UTC and landed safely at Ho Airport at 0757 UTC. The deceased, the pilot and his younger brother refuelled the aircraft with 20 litres of RON 95 fuel for the return journey after a brief stop.

He said a local circuit flight was conducted with a third person occupying the pilot’s seat, after which “white smoke was observed emanating from the engine as the aircraft taxied to its parking position”.

Just about 15 minutes later, the aircraft taxied again for take-off, this time, the pilot’s brother was the one who occupied the pilot’s seat. Shortly after departure, the pilot contacted Air Traffic Control (ATC) and requested clearance to return to Ho Airport due to technical concerns.

The aircraft later landed and the pilot detected overheating as the issue and conducted a visual inspection of the engine.

“The pilot indicated that the coolant reservoir level was satisfactory and no further defect was identified during this inspection,” Captain Forjoe said.

Final moments before the crash

Approximately 30 minutes later, the aircraft took off again at 1337 UTC for Accra. Radar data later showed it flying at varying altitudes between 3,400 feet and 100 feet as it approached the capital.

Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft flying unusually low over Tema and attempting to signal children playing in the Oninku School Park to vacate the area for an emergency landing.

The aircraft subsequently crashed, triggering a post-impact fire. Emergency responders quickly contained the flames, limiting damage to parts of the school grounds and the roof of a building. However, both occupants sustained fatal injuries.

Captain Forjoe noted that there was no record of the crew declaring an emergency or informing ATC of plans to land in Tema.

“We continue to pray for the families of those who lost their lives that fateful day. We trust that the final report and its safety recommendations will help prevent a recurrence,” he said.

Aircraft history and maintenance

The aircraft, registered as 9G-ADV, was first registered in Ghana in 1996 and initially operated by the Sankofa Aeroclub at Afienya. It was later transferred to the Ghana Armed Forces in 2001 before being returned to its owner in 2022.

Since then, it has undergone several maintenance checks and inspections approved by the GCAA. Its engine was replaced in December 2022, followed by the issuance of a Permit to Fly.

The most recent major maintenance check was conducted on December 31, 2025, with a subsequent GCAA inspection on January 14, 2026.

Captain Forjoe said a Flight Test Permit (ADV230) issued in January 2026 expired on January 26, while subsequent permits (ADV235 and ADV236), issued on March 9, 2026, authorised the aircraft’s relocation from Accra to Ho and expired on March 21, 2026.

About the victims of the crash

The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority identified the bodies of the victims of the fatal helicopter crash at Tema.

On Monday, 16, the two individuals lost their lives in a microlight helicopter with registration number 9G-ADV, which went down in Tema Community One, in the park of a school near the TMA Daycare.

They are Captain Frank Amoaning Donkor, 36, a flight instructor, and 25-year-old Elijah Ofori Donkor, a university graduate.

The deceased, who are two brothers, were the sons of a popular founder of Hebron Prayer Camp, Elder Frank Kwabena Donkor.