Authorities investigating Wednesday’s deadly Ghana Air Force helicopter crash have recovered the aircraft’s black box, a vital step toward uncovering the cause of the tragedy that claimed eight lives.
Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, confirmed the development in a Facebook post on Thursday, August 7, stating that the flight data recording device has been retrieved and is now in the custody of aviation investigators.
The crash, which occurred in Brofoyedru Sikaman in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, killed several senior government officials and military personnel. Among the deceased were Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, NDC Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong, and former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye.
Also lost were three members of the Ghana Armed Forces aircrew: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
What Is a Black Box?
Despite its name, the “black box” is not black but typically bright orange for visibility. It is a crash-survivable flight recording device designed to preserve key data and cockpit audio from the aircraft’s final moments. In aviation investigations worldwide, it is the single most crucial piece of equipment for determining what happened before a crash.
Each black box contains two main components:
Flight Data Recorder (FDR): Records technical information such as altitude, speed, heading, and engine performance.
Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR): Captures audio from inside the cockpit, including crew conversations and ambient sounds like alarms or system alerts.
Together, these devices store over 25 hours of flight metrics and two hours of cockpit audio, giving investigators an unfiltered look at the sequence of events leading up to a crash.
Why the Black Box Matters in Ghana’s Investigation
In the wake of a high-profile crash involving top government officials, the black box is central to the investigation. It will help determine whether the disaster was caused by mechanical failure, human error, weather conditions, or other factors.
Experts say the data retrieved from the device could be key to ensuring transparency, accountability, and improved flight safety protocols for the Ghana Armed Forces and civil aviation alike.
The Ghana Armed Forces and relevant civil aviation authorities are now working in coordination to analyze the black box data as part of an ongoing investigation.
