Retired Pilot Disputes Assertion Passengers Aboard Z 9 Helicopter Made Distress Calls, Video
- A retired pilot has gone public amid claims that some passengers aboard the Z-9 helicopter made distress calls moments before the crash
- Wing Commander Sogbodjor noted that the passengers were not familiar with its operations and would not have been able to inform others
- Two Ghanaian ministers, Dr Edward Omane Boamah and Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, were among the eight who died in the crash
Patrick Nelson Sogbodjor, a retired Wing Commander of the Ghana Air Force, has responded to claims that people aboard the helicopter that crashed at Adansi Sikaman had made calls to certain individuals moments before the crash.
In a video by Gossip 24 on TikTok, sighted by YEN.com.gh, he responded by asking if those who had reportedly been contacted while the doomed helicopter was in the air had been able to provide substantial evidence to back the claims.
Source: UGC
Speaking from his experience as a retired pilot, he wondered how a passenger aboard a flight could have made calls telling people about the happenings on the flight when such a person had no technical knowledge of what was happening.
In this case, he said, the individuals aboard the helicopter who were familiar with what was happening and could have detailed any issues that may have arisen were the pilots, who would have been trying to prevent the chopper crash.
"What does that passenger know about the operation of the helicopter? The pilot is inside the aircraft, he is the one controlling it. So, what does the passenger know about the technicalities of the helicopter?" he questioned.
Eight perish in ghastly GAF helicopter crash
Ghana was thrown into mourning when eight people perished in the deadly Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) helicopter crash in early August, as the aircraft was heading to Obuasi.
Two cabinet ministers, Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, were among those who died in the crash.
Source: TikTok
The others were Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, and the Deputy Director-General in charge of protocol at NADMO, all top officials.
Three members of the Ghana Armed Forces also perished in the crash: Wing Commander Peter Bafemi Anala, Flight Lieutenant Manaen Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Six of the eight victims were buried at the Military Cemetery on Friday, August 15, 2025, after their funeral at the Black Stars Square.
Dr Murtala Muhammed and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Limuna were interred at the Military Cemetery on August 10, per Islamic rites.
Watch the video of Wing Commander Sogbodjor's analysis below:
Mahama comforts Omane Boamah's children in church
Earlier, YEN.com.gh also reported that President John Dramani Mahama had consoled Dr Omane Boamah's children during the thanksgiving service held on Sunday. August 17, 2025.
In a video, the president was seen hugging and offering words of comfort to the children following the conclusion of the church event honouring the helicopter crash victims.
Source: YEN.com.gh
