The black box plays a crucial role in facilitating investigations when incidents occur
Many Ghanaians may have heard about a “black box” for the first time following the fatal helicopter crash at Adansi Sikaman, which claimed the lives of eight high-ranking government officials and Ghana Armed Forces personnel.
For starters, the black box is not actually black, as the name suggests. It is a small, orange-colored metallic device that records and stores flight data and cockpit audio from helicopters and airplanes.
The black box plays a crucial role in facilitating investigations when incidents such as crashes or accidents occur. It is designed to be crash-resistant, capable of withstanding fire, explosions, high-speed impacts, and even water immersion to a certain extent.
A black box has two key components:
1. Flight Data Recorder (FDR): Records more than 80 different types of technical data, including altitude, airspeed, flight heading, vertical acceleration, pitch, roll, autopilot status, and engine performance.
2. Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR): Records all sounds within the cockpit, including conversations between pilots, engine noises, and radio transmissions.
These recording devices are housed inside a unit typically made from strong materials such as steel or titanium. They are also insulated to protect against extreme heat, cold, and moisture. To safeguard the black box, it is usually installed near the tail end of the aircraft, where the impact during a crash is generally the least severe.
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With the helicopter’s black box recovered, investigators can now make significant headway in determining the circumstances and causes of the crash.
Among the victims of the Z-9 helicopter crash was Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence. The crash also claimed the life of the Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.
Other victims included Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna; former Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Samuel Sarpong; and Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate.
The helicopter’s crew members who perished were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Malin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The helicopter crashed on August 6, 2025, while en route to Obuasi for a government mission related to illegal mining (galamsey), as part of ongoing national efforts to curb the menace.
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MAG/MA
