The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has confirmed that a two-seat microlight aircraft crashed in Tema on Monday, March 16, 2026, after losing contact with air traffic control while flying from Ho to Accra.
In a statement issued in Accra, the aviation regulator said the aircraft, registered as 9G-ADV, was operating on a domestic flight from Ho to Accra when the incident occurred.
According to the GCAA, the aircraft was expected to arrive in Accra at approximately 15:20 Zulu time (1520Z). However, the last radio communication between the aircraft and air traffic control was recorded at 14:18 Zulu time (1418Z) before contact was lost.
Authorities confirmed that two persons were on board the aircraft at the time of the crash.
The aircraft involved has been identified as a Sky Arrow 650T microlight, a lightweight aircraft designed for two occupants seated in tandem, meaning the passenger sits directly behind the pilot rather than beside them. The aircraft is produced by Italian manufacturer 3I Sky Arrow and is widely used globally for recreational flying, aerial observation, environmental monitoring, and flight training.
The Sky Arrow 650T features a high-wing pusher design, with the propeller mounted at the rear of the aircraft rather than the nose. The model is commonly powered by a Rotax 912 engine, one of the most widely used engines in light aviation due to its reliability and efficiency.
One of the aircraft’s distinctive features is its wide field of vision, enabled by the elevated wing configuration and cockpit design. It is also known for its stable slow-flight capability, which makes it suitable for surveillance operations, training flights, and low-speed aerial observation.
The crash occurred in Tema, a major industrial and port city located east of Accra that serves as a key logistics and maritime hub for Ghana’s economy.
The GCAA said further details regarding the incident will be provided in due course, as aviation authorities continue to gather information about the circumstances surrounding the crash.
