The fatal crash of a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter at Sikaman in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 8, 2025, has ignited conversations on safety of military aircraft operations.
While the recent helicopter crash claimed all 8 lives on board, including government officials, there have been incidents where pilots have been forced to land their aircrafts unexpectedly due to critical circumstances.
GhanaWeb chronicles three occasions in the past when Ghana Air Force helicopters made emergency landings. 2015 In 2015, when a Ghana Air Force helicopter carrying President John Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama was forced to land near Apatrapa in Kumasi due to poor weather conditions. 2020 In 2020, another Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter, with tail number GHF 630, experienced a tail rotor failure while flying near Kumbungu in the Northern Region.
On board were four crew members and other military personnel.
