Tema Microlight Crash: Probe advances as final report set for May 29

Final report on the fatal microlight aircraft crash at the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) Day Care School in Tema Community One is expected by May 29, 2026, as investigations continue to progress.

The Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau has said it has completed the initial stage of its work and is now waiting on key inputs, including autopsy results, to fully establish what caused the accident and the factors that contributed to it.

At a press briefing in Accra on April 17, 2026, the Commissioner of AIB Ghana, John Wumborti, said the update was being released in compliance with both national regulations and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

“This is not the final report. We are satisfying the requirement of our law that says that after 30 days, if the final report is not ready, we should make the progress known to the public,” he said.

He explained that the goal of the investigation is not to assign blame but to draw lessons and make safety recommendations that could help prevent similar accidents in the future.

The Investigator-in-Charge, Captain Paul Forjoe, disclosed that a formal investigation team had been set up, made up of five investigators and three observers.

A look at the '25-year-old' microlight helicopter involved in tragic Tema crash

He added that the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority had also appointed two focal persons to support the process.

He further noted that Italy, the country where the aircraft was manufactured, had appointed an accredited representative and an adviser to take part in the investigation.

According to Captain Forjoe, the team has been reviewing a wide range of evidence, including drone footage, eyewitness accounts, CCTV recordings, air traffic control communication transcripts, radar data, and technical documentation relating to both the aircraft and its crew.

He gave a detailed account of the aircraft’s movements on the day of the crash.

The aircraft departed Accra at 0645 UTC and landed safely at Ho Airport at 0757 UTC. After landing, the pilot and his younger brother refuelled it with 20 litres of RON 95 fuel for the return journey.

A local circuit flight was then carried out, during which a third person occupied the pilot’s seat.

During this activity, “white smoke was observed emanating from the engine as the aircraft taxied to its parking position”.

Roughly 15 minutes later, the aircraft taxied again for departure. This time, the pilot sat at the rear while his younger brother took the pilot’s seat.

Shortly after take-off, the pilot contacted Air Traffic Control (ATC) requesting permission to return to Ho Airport due to technical concerns.

After landing, the pilot reportedly suspected overheating and carried out a visual inspection of the engine.

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

About 30 minutes after this inspection, the aircraft took off again at 1337 UTC, heading towards Accra.

Radar tracking showed that during its approach, the aircraft flew at varying altitudes ranging from 3,400 feet down to as low as 100 feet.

Witnesses along the route said the aircraft was flying unusually low over Tema and appeared to signal children playing at the Oninku School Park to clear the area in preparation for an emergency landing attempt.

Despite this, the aircraft eventually crashed, leading to a fire after impact.

Emergency responders managed to contain the blaze quickly, preventing it from spreading further across the school compound and limiting damage mainly to parts of the grounds and a building's roof.

Unfortunately, both occupants on board lost their lives.

Captain Forjoe also pointed out that there was no record of the crew declaring an emergency or informing air traffic control of any intention to land in Tema.

He concluded by expressing sympathy for the bereaved families, saying, “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 also provided background on the aircraft, registration 9G-ADV, which was first registered in Ghana in 1996.

It was initially operated by the Sankofa Aeroclub at Afienya, later transferred to the Ghana Armed Forces in 2001, and eventually returned to its owner in 2022.

Since its return, the aircraft has undergone multiple maintenance checks and inspections approved by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority.

Its engine was replaced in December 2022, after which it was issued a Permit to Fly.

The most recent major maintenance inspection took place on December 31, 2025, followed by a GCAA inspection on January 14, 2026.

Captain Forjoe added that a Flight Test Permit (ADV230) issued in January 2026 expired on January 26.

He further explained that additional permits, ADV235 and ADV236, issued on March 9, 2026, allowed the aircraft’s relocation from Accra to Ho but also expired on March 21, 2026.

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