Ghana’s aircraft accident investigators have attributed the fatal Tema microlight crash that killed two people to poor maintenance practices, engine failure, and unsafe operational decisions, according to a final report released on Tuesday.
The Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB Ghana) said the aircraft had a documented history of engine overheating during short flights, including previous incidents in Ho where white smoke was observed emanating from the engine.
Investigators found that these warning signs were not properly addressed before the aircraft was flown again, contributing to what they described as a preventable accident.
“The defects were not properly rectified before subsequent flights,” the report stated.
The Bureau further revealed that the pilot attempted to cool the overheating engine by pouring water on it — an action investigators described as unsafe and inconsistent with standard aviation procedures.
The report also noted that no flight permits had been issued for the aircraft’s movement, meaning Air Traffic Control (ATC) was not informed of its operations or its known mechanical issues.
Presenting the findings, Head of Investigation Capt. Paul Fordjour said engine failure was the likely immediate cause of the crash, with human factors also playing a role.
“There was destruction due to persistent communication on the cell phone,” he said, highlighting additional safety concerns identified during the investigation.
The crash, which occurred in Tema, resulted in two fatalities and has raised renewed questions about compliance with aviation maintenance standards and regulatory oversight of light aircraft operations in Ghana.
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