A Ghana Air Force helicopter with registration number GHF 696 on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, made an emergency landing at Bonsukrom near Agona Nkwanta in the Western Region.
It is unclear what caused the incident. However, a statement signed by the Director General in charge of Public Relations of the Air Force, Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quarshie, said there were 21 passengers on board, made up of staff of the Ghana National Gas Company and air crew.
He said the people onboard were conducting a routine offshore powerline inspection of the Atuabo gas plant when the incident occurred around 12:30 pm.
Brigadier General Aggrey-Quarshie added, “All passengers on board have been accounted for and there were no fatalities. However, they have been evacuated and are currently undergoing routine medical checkups.” He further noted that preliminary assessments have commenced to ascertain the cause of the incident.
The viral video shows the distressed helicopter making the emergency landing at a park at Bonsukrom, with curious people defying the strong propeller winds to witness the spectacle.
With the not-too-recent explosion and fatalities at Apiatse near Bogosu, also in the Western Region, fresh in the minds of many, concerns have been raised about the way the local community flirted with risks and danger in their attempt to flock and catch a glimpse of the troubled aircraft, which could have ended in fatalities and serious injuries had it exploded on impact.
