Ghana Air Crash: Investigators Recover Aircraft Black Box as Bodies Sent to South Africa for DNA Analysis

Ghana Air Crash: Investigators Recover Aircraft Black Box as Bodies Sent to South Africa for DNA Analysis

A significant breakthrough has been made in the investigation of the tragic military plane crash in Ghana, as aviation investigators have successfully recovered the aircraft’s black box according to the Ashanti Regional Minister,Dr Amoakohene in a Facebook post.

This development marks a major step forward in piecing together the events that led to the fatal incident which claimed the lives of eight people comprising the crew and government officials.

The black box, officially referred to as a flight recorder, consists of two separate devices: the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). These critical instruments are designed to withstand extreme impacts and environmental conditions and are vital to understanding aviation accidents. The FDR monitors more than 80 different parameters, including speed, altitude, engine performance, and pilot inputs, while the CVR captures cockpit audio, including pilot conversations and background sounds.

“The recovery of the black box gives investigators a technical window into the aircraft’s performance and the final conversations of the flight crew before the crash,” said a source close to the investigation.

Though commonly referred to as "black boxes", these devices are not actually black. In fact, they are painted bright orange or yellow to ensure visibility amid debris. Historically, the term “black box” was coined by the British Royal Air Force during World War II when secret navigation and communication devices were encased in non-reflective black housings to avoid enemy detection.

Modern black boxes are also equipped with underwater locator beacons that emit signals upon contact with water, aiding in deep-sea recovery efforts. On land, the vibrant color serves as a visual beacon for crash-site investigators.

In parallel with the technical investigation, efforts to identify the victims have intensified. The remains of the eight deceased officials have since been airlifted to South Africa for advanced DNA examination. This step has been deemed necessary to ensure accurate and respectful identification, allowing families and the nation to grieve with certainty and dignity.

Authorities emphasize that the insights derived from the black box will not only help determine the cause of the crash but also contribute to broader aviation safety improvements.