Helicopter Crash: Colonel Aboagye Details What Transpired When the Chopper Went off the Radar
- A retired soldier and security expert has shared his views on the helicopter crash that claimed eight lives in Ghana.
- Col. Festus Aboagye (Rtd), in an interview, disclosed that the Z-9 helicopter was still in flight after it went off radar.
- This comes after eight individuals died in a helicopter crash while en route from Accra to Obuasi
Col. Festus Aboagye (Rtd), a retired soldier and security analyst, has weighed in on the Ghana Armed Forces' Z-9 helicopter crash, which killed at least eight people on August 6.
Speaking as a panellist on Channel One's The Point of View, Col. Aboagye offered clarity on several issues that have arisen in the wake of the tragedy.
Source: UGC
First, he disclosed that the Z-9 helicopter, according to his sources, was able to fly for 27 minutes after going off radar.
He also indicated that the helicopter crashed 13 kilometers from the intended landing point.
During that time, Col. Aboagye remarked that if there had been an emergency, the pilot, Squadron Leader Peter Anala, would have found a safe place to land.
He further indicated that the initial statement by the Ghana Armed Forces that the helicopter had gone off radar does not necessarily mean it was encountering an emergency.
Sabotage could have caused the crash
Dr. Nestor Otoo, an aircraft engineer, also weighed in on the matter in an interview with Adom FM.
He pointed out the possibility of the crash happening as a result of sabotage.
He explained that when high-ranking officials are preparing for a trip, top aircraft engineers and mechanics are usually assigned to ensure the aircraft is in perfect condition before takeoff.
Dr. Otoo also downplayed theories that weather could have played a role in the helicopter crash.
Source: TikTok
Details of the August 6 helicopter crash
Ghana was thrown into mourning as eight individuals travelling from Accra to Obuasi on the Ghana Armed Forces' Z-9 helicopter were involved in a crash at Adansi Sikaman.
The casualties included two cabinet ministers: the Defence Minister, Dr. Omane Boamah, and the Minister of Environment, Dr. Murtala Mohammed.
Other individuals were former Obuasi East parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, Deputy National Security Coordinator Limuna Muniru, and National Democratic Congress Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong.
The army personnel who died in the crash were Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, and Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu.
A video posted on the Facebook page of the Defence Press Corps showed the final moments when Dr. Omane Boamah was seen aboard the Z9 helicopter traveling from Accra to Obuasi.
Watch the video below:
Reactions to Col. Aboagye's disclosure
YEN.com.gh sampled some reactions:
Kayaga opined:
"This was something beyond the pilot. Only God knows exactly what happened."
Manuel_trends wrote:
"Can the radar signals be hacked and turned off? Is it possible that the chopper itself can be hacked and controlled remotely?"
Selikem added:
"From Accra to Kumasi in a helicopter shouldn't take more than 35 minutes, no? And to go off radar for 27 minutes and nothing could be done?"
GAF warns media over helicopter crash
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that the Ghana Armed Forces admonished the media to be responsible in their coverage of the August 6 crash.
The army expressed concerns over unsubstantiated comments regarding the crash in the Ashanti Region.
Source: YEN.com.gh
