"Don’t rush to speculate, let’s wait for black box findings" – Rtd. Wing Commander urges public over Adansi helicopter crash

Retired Wing Commander, Patrick Nelson Sorgborjor has called for calm and restraint in the face of public speculation following the recent tragic military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight individuals, including Ghana's Ministers of Defense and Environment.

In an interview monitored by Thinknewsonline.com, the respected retired pilot and former Ghana Air Force officer emphasized that investigations into such military air incidents are governed by strict technical procedures and classified protocols, not public commentary.

“Let us be patient. We must wait for the findings of the black box. No one can determine the cause of the crash by mere speculation,” he stated, stressing that neither the pilot nor the aircraft crew would ever intentionally put themselves in harm’s way.

According to Wing Commander Sorgborzojor, the public’s reaction—marked by conspiracy theories, misinformation, and technical assumptions—has been “unhelpful and uninformed.”

He clarified that before any military flight, a thorough pre-flight check is conducted, not only by technicians but also by the pilots themselves.

“No pilot takes off with an aircraft unless everything checks out,” he affirmed.

“Even if there’s a minor fault, the mission is aborted. Especially for an all-weather certified pilot, there are standards and safety protocols that are rigorously followed before, during, and after a flight.”

Addressing rumors that passengers made distress calls during the crash, the veteran aviator dismissed the claims as baseless, adding that communication in such aircraft is controlled and regulated.

“Mobile phones do not work midair like that. And a civilian on board wouldn’t have the technical understanding to assess or report what’s going wrong in the cockpit,” he explained.

"The only person capable of making decisions is the pilot, who at that moment, would be doing everything to save lives.”

Touching on concerns regarding the Z-9 helicopter's reliability — the aircraft involved in the incident — Commander Sorgborjor noted that every aircraft model is configured differently and that flight performance often depends on maintenance and pilot handling, not just manufacturing origin.

“Every aircraft type has limitations clearly stated in black and white,” he said.

“What happened in other countries like Pakistan or Nigeria with Z-9s may not be the same here. Each incident is peculiar to its own circumstances.”

He further stressed that Ghana operates several Z-9s and that the aircraft in question would have undergone routine checks before its assignment.

The suggestion that the crash stemmed from negligence or a substandard aircraft is speculative at best, he said.

Commander Sorgborjor also clarified why the public may never receive full details of the crash investigation.

“Military aircraft crash reports are classified unless the authorities decide otherwise,” he said.

“Since the Air Force’s inception in 1959, several incidents have occurred. How many times have you seen those reports in the media? That’s the nature of military operations.”

He noted that while civilians may demand accountability and answers, investigations involving military assets are not subject to the same transparency as civil aviation.

Reflecting on his 82 years of life and decades of experience in military aviation, Wing Commander Sorgborjor shared that Ghana has experienced many aviation tragedies before — some involving fellow airmen under his watch — but public reactions were never as politically charged or speculative as they are today.

“I understand the grief and curiosity,” he said.

"But I urge Ghanaians to allow the professionals to complete their investigations. No one wants to hide the truth, but some things are not for public consumption. Let’s respect that.”

The retired commander concluded by honoring the fallen crew and officials, describing the incident as a heartbreaking loss for the nation.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith