Second Helicopter Emergency Landing in Ghana Within Days Amid Severe Weather Conditions
Nkawkaw, Eastern Region — Ghana has recorded its second helicopter emergency landing in less than a week, after a Volta River Aviation aircraft was forced to touch down unexpectedly in Nkawkaw on Monday morning due to poor visibility.
The Jet A-1 helicopter, with registration number 9G-AFW, was on a scheduled flight from Accra to Kumasi when deteriorating weather conditions over the Kwahu West Municipality prompted the pilot to make the precautionary landing near the Nkawkaw bypass.
According to on-site sources, both the pilot and crew members escaped unhurt. Aviation officials have since confirmed that no passengers were aboard the flight at the time of the incident.
This latest incident follows another emergency landing just days earlier, when a helicopter — registration 9G-ADW — carrying four passengers was compelled to land at the Presby School Park in Ajumako Kokoben in the Central Region under similar weather-related circumstances. Eyewitnesses say turbulent winds and thick clouds mid-flight forced the pilot to descend into the open school field, where it remained grounded for about an hour before resuming its journey.
The developments come against the backdrop of a tragic air disaster on Wednesday, August 6, when a military helicopter crashed in Adansi Akrofoum, Ashanti Region, killing eight people — including two cabinet ministers: Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Murtalla Mohammed — as well as three other government officials and three crew members.
The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority is expected to review aviation safety protocols, particularly regarding flights during adverse weather, as the country grapples with a string of concerning aerial incidents.
Source: My News Ghana
