A microlight aircraft crashed and caught fire near Oninku Drive School Park in Tema Community One on Monday March 16, 2026, killing both occupants on board, emergency services and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) have confirmed.
The aircraft, registered as 9G-ADV, was en route from Ho in the Volta Region to Accra, with an estimated arrival time of 3:20 PM local time (1520 Z), the GCAA stated. Radio contact with the pilot was lost at 2:18 PM (1418 Z), just over an hour before the aircraft was due to land.
“The aircraft was flying from Ho to Accra, estimating Accra at 1520 Z. The last contact with the aircraft on radio was 1418 Z. There were two persons on board,” the GCAA confirmed in a statement.
The crash occurred close to the TMA Daycare facility, sending thick plumes of smoke into the air and prompting an immediate response from emergency services. Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service, supported by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GHAPOHA), worked to extinguish the blaze and secure the area.
“So our men from our end and GHAPOHA tried to douse the fire and also ensure that we’ll be able to at least cordon off the area so as not to create any hazard to the occupants who are around,” said Mr. Yenzu, one of the responders.
After putting out the flames, responders discovered the bodies of two males inside the wreckage.
“But at the end of the day, when we finished dousing the flame, we realised that it’s a chopper which had two persons on board, two persons on board, all males, and we’ve been able to retrieve the bodies and sent them to the morgue through the police for preservation and autopsy,” Mr. Yenzu added.
Authorities have cordoned off the crash site while investigations continue. Aviation experts are expected to assist in determining the cause of the crash.
“The aircraft has been identified as 9G-ADV, but as to where it is coming from and the cause of the accident, we are still investigating it,” Mr. Yenzu said.
The Assembly Member for the Kwesi Plange Electoral Area, Ahmed Abdullia, confirmed that no students at the nearby school were injured during the incident.
The GCAA added in a brief statement: “Further details will be provided in due course,” as safety inspectors continue their work at the scene.
