The aircraft, carrying eight people on board, was en route from Accra to Obuasi. According to available information, the helicopter crashed into a forested mountainside, and all those on board were killed. Among the passengers were two ministers (of Defense and Environment), three accompanying persons, and a three-member crew. The purpose of the flight was a conference in Obuasi concerning illegal extraction of natural resources. The cause of the crash is to be investigated by a commission. According to the media, at this time, sabotage or a shootdown by unknown perpetrators is being ruled out.
Harbin Z-9 multi-purpose helicopter / Photo: US Navy
The Ghana Air Force operated four Harbin Z-9 multi-role helicopters configured for passenger transport. The design, a development of the Airbus AS365 Dauphin, has been produced in China since 1992. So far, production has exceeded 200 serial units, some of which have also been exported.
