The Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB Ghana) has attributed the fatal microlight aircraft crash at Tema, which claimed two lives, to engine failure linked to poor maintenance practices.
Presenting the Bureau’s final investigation report on Tuesday, Head of Investigation, Captain Paul Fordjour, said the aircraft had a history of engine overheating issues that were not properly resolved before it was returned to service.
According to him, repeated overheating incidents were recorded during earlier flights and landings in Ho, where white smoke was consistently observed emanating from the engine.
The report found that maintenance work carried out on the aircraft was unprofessional and failed to correct the underlying mechanical faults, allowing the defect to persist.
Investigators further revealed that the pilot attempted to cool the overheating engine by pouring water on it, an action the Bureau described as unsafe and inappropriate.
The Bureau also established that the aircraft operated without the required flight permits, meaning Air Traffic Control (ATC) was not aware of its movements or its prior technical challenges.
Captain Fordjour said findings from the investigation point to engine failure as the most probable cause of the crash, with some actions by the pilot also contributing to the accident.
He added that additional human-factor issues were identified, including the pilot’s persistent use of a mobile phone during the flight.
AIB Ghana has since stressed the need for strict adherence to aviation safety procedures, proper maintenance standards and compliance with flight authorization requirements to prevent similar occurrences.
-The Herald-