Z-9 Helicopter Crash Probe Enters Crucial Second Phase – Security Expert
Security and fraud prevention expert Richard Kumadoe says investigations into the fatal Z-9 military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region have moved into their second and more technical phase, with multiple forensic and analytical processes now underway.
The crash, which claimed the lives of eight people, including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Dr. Murtala Mohammed, has prompted a high-level, multi-agency investigation involving aviation, military, and security experts.
According to Mr. Kumadoe, the current stage of the probe will focus on analysing all factual and verifiable elements of the incident. “All identifiable and touchable positions will be analysed, from the takeoff location to the crash site,” he said.
He explained that the investigation teams will pay close attention to what he called the “core incident elements”, the two sister voice recorders, the victims’ remains, the crash location, and the takeoff point while awaiting a detailed diagnostic assessment of the helicopter’s black box.
Mr. Kumadoe noted that while investigators will keep all presumptive assumptions in consideration, their methodological outcomes, whether manual, scientific, or both qualitative and quantitative, will be benchmarked against both regional and international best practices to ensure accuracy and credibility.
He further indicated that by the time Ghana marks the national funeral for the victims on August 15, 2025, investigators and decision-makers should have “about 70-80% clarity” on what happened, what to expect next, and what variables may still change as new evidence emerges.
The expert stressed that such a structured, multi-layered approach was vital in preventing premature conclusions and ensuring that final findings are based on evidence rather than speculation.
