Claim: Military aircraft crashes at Tema
Source: Facebook
Verdict: False
Researched by Gifty Tracy Aminu
Multiple news platforms reported the death of two persons aboard an aircraft that crashed in Tema Community One in the Greater Accra Region, in the late afternoon of March 16, 2026. (Here, here and here).
Initial reports indicated that the aircraft crashed into the premises of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) Daycare Centre at Community One, Site 17, near Oninku School Park around 2:00 PM local time.
GhanaFact found a post on Facebook, by a blogger known as Akwasi Bugati Media, claiming the aircraft involved is a military aircraft.
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The caption to his post read: “Breaking News: Two people, including the pilot of a 2-seater military aircraft, have been unalived in a fatal crash at Tema Community 1, near the Site 17 area, this afternoon. Reports indicate that emergency services are currently on the ground managing the situation and evacuating the area, while efforts are underway to investigate the crash.”
The video had been viewed over 20,000 times, with 150 reactions, 13 comments and 15 shares at the time of filing this report.
Was the aircraft involved in the crash a military aircraft? This report will verify the claim and provide official details on the crash.
Fact-check
The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA) in a statement on the crash said: “The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority can confirm that a microlight aircraft with registration number 9GADV crashed in Tema on Monday, March 16, 2026.”
According to the statement, the aircraft was flying from Ho to Accra, estimating Accra at 1520Z.
The Deputy Defence Minister, Brogya Genfi, while reacting to the incident via a social media post clarified that the crashed aircraft was not a military aircraft.
His post on Facebook read, “We have received reports of a fatal crash involving a privately owned microlight aircraft at Tema Community 1 this afternoon. We wish to clarify that the aircraft is not owned by the Ghana Armed Forces. We pray for the souls of the departed and extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families.”
Meanwhile, the cause of the accident is yet to be revealed. A report by Daily Graphic online indicated that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) confirmed that the aircraft “was not equipped with a flight data recorder, commonly known as a black box.” However, the Bureau said it has gathered sufficient evidence to support ongoing investigations into the fatal incident.
When GhanaFact reached out to Akwasi Bugati Media via Facebook Messenger, they admitted the error and added: “The video has been taken down.”
Verdict
Therefore, the claim that the aircraft involved in the crash in Tema is a military aircraft is False.
NB: Report was updated to include the reaction of the media house that reported the original claim
