Family of helicopter crash victim speaks after investigative report

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 Source: www.ghanaweb.com

The family of Samuel Sarpong, one of the eight victims who tragically died in the August 6, 2025, helicopter crash, has expressed satisfaction with the committee’s findings.

According to the investigative board’s report released on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, the crash was caused by a sudden loss of altitude and lift resulting from a downdraft.

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“The investigation determined that the accident was caused by a sudden loss of altitude and lift due to a downdraft. This loss of altitude, without any change in power or pitch attitude, is consistent with downdrafts associated with changing environmental conditions over high terrain,” a member of the committee stated.

Reacting to the report, a relative of Samuel Sarpong, who was a Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), described the incident as an act of God, noting that the weather conditions were beyond human control.

“We are very satisfied because, based on the briefing we received, we understand that this was an act of God. Nobody controls the weather except the Almighty, and for that matter, we have accepted it in good faith,” he said.

He added, “I believe strongly that, per the briefing we’ve had today, this will put all speculation to rest. Captain Forjoe took time to explain everything to us in detail, and even yesterday we had a closed-door briefing. We are okay; we have accepted everything and are very satisfied with the outcome.”

The committee, chaired by National Security Coordinator DCOP Abdul-Osman Razak, submitted its final report to the National Security Council on Monday, November 10, 2025.

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The board comprised representatives from the Ghana Air Force and the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB-Ghana), with technical and advisory support from the United States Air Force.