“We received a call around 12:59 that there was an outbreak of fire at Community 1, Site 18,” said Divisional Officer II Ebenezer Yenzu, reflecting on the tragic events that unfolded on March 16, 2026. A microlight aircraft, registered as 9G-ADV, crashed and burst into flames near the Oninku Drive School Park in Tema Community One, resulting in the deaths of both occupants on board.
The aircraft was en route from Ho to Accra when it went down at approximately 14:18 Zulu time. Firefighters from the Ghana National Fire Service responded swiftly to the distress call, arriving at the scene shortly after the report was made. “But by the time we got here, the teachers and the pupils had just evacuated the school and were just on the street, and so none of the students or the pupils or the teachers got injured,” Yenzu added, highlighting the fortunate timing of the evacuation.
The crash site was cordoned off by security personnel as investigations commenced. The bodies of the two males were retrieved from the wreckage and sent to the morgue for preservation and autopsy. The last radio contact with the aircraft occurred at 14:18 Z, just moments before the tragic incident.
Deputy Minister of Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, confirmed the crash, stating, “We have received reports of a fatal crash involving a privately owned microlight aircraft at Tema Community 1 this afternoon.” He extended condolences to the bereaved families, saying, “We pray for the souls of the departed and extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families.”
Fortunately, the timely response of the firefighters ensured that the nearby Oninku Drive School was evacuated without any injuries reported among the students or staff. The incident occurred close to the TMA Daycare facility, raising concerns about safety in the area.
The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), established in 1986, is responsible for regulating air transport in Ghana and will likely play a crucial role in the investigation of this incident. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the precise circumstances leading to the crash, as authorities work to gather more information.
As the investigation unfolds, the community mourns the loss of the two individuals who perished in this tragic accident. Parliament has expressed condolences to the families affected, emphasizing the need for thorough investigations to prevent future occurrences of such incidents.
